Contemporary Threats Necessitate Militarization of Police – Deputy IGP Sabiiti

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Brig Sabiiti Muzeeyi has told those who have recently opposed the militarization of the Police Force, saying it is inevitable for the Police to incorporate military skills in its training.

Muzeeyi said that with the contemporary crime that Police is currently faced with, the line between the roles of the Police and that of the army is getting thinner.

The former Commander of the Military Police made the remarks on Saturday while presiding over the closure of the third intake of Kampala Metropolitan Police Basic Management at Kigo Marine Base. A total of 600 police officers were passed out.

“I keep hearing statements like ‘Why are you militarizing the Police?’ Well, I don’t know the difference between the army and the Police,” the Deputy IGP said.

Quoting the Polive Act, Brig Sabiiti said the Police must be ready to perform functions of a military Force.

“That’s why I was happy when I saw you performimg counter insurgency techniques because the policing environment that we encounter is really different”.

In the fight against terrorism, he said, the first line of defence in national security is the Police.

He advised officers who underwent the training to endure and remain healthy especially in the current waves of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B in order to serve longer in the force and to provide support to their families.

He also thanked the spouses for the endurance, support through out the training, and urged trainees to use the skills in a manner that builds the image and mandate of the Uganda Police Force

The basic management course derives its origin from the police council resolution requiring all directorates, departments and regions to conduct regular internal capacity building programs for personnels and to embrace the idea of internal trainings.

Among the major issues addressed in this course are fitness, time management, discipline, teamwork, response to emergency calls, attitude towards work,working relationship between juniors and their commanders, mental preparedness, operational mistakes committed overtime like shooting of innocent citizens due to stray bullets and missed targets, among others.