Democratic Party (DP) have condemned the move by the Deputy IGP, Brig Sabiiti to militarize the Police, saying demonstrates that the new leadership in Police represent nothing but a mere change of guard.
Last week, Brig Sabiiti made comments justifying the militarization of the Police saying that it was necessary especially with the new face of security threats.
The Deputy IGP said that due to the nature of crime these days, there is need for police to always be ready and prepared with military skills to handle sophisticated criminality.
But Democratic Party has Tuesday responded to Sabiiti’s comments saying they are far from establishing a civil police.
“DP believes that the changes that were made in the Uganda Police Force were mere change of guards, it has come out very clearly that there is more and more militarization of the police than what the country aspired for,” noted the Party Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Kakande at a press conference on Tuesday.
According to Kakande, it is very evident that the policy of NRM government towards a civil police organization is not that they are building a police force but another extension of a military arm of government.
“We call on the President to change heart, from what Gen Kale Kayihura did when he was at the helm of the force, it is very evident that there is a difference in all limitations between the military and the police force”.
Kakande called upon Parliament to call the Executive to order so as to build a civil force not a para-military police force.
“The men in UPDF should desist from leadership of Police, as a party we believe that there is a lot to be done to change our police force”.