IGP Isn’t into Divisive Politics, Police Clarifies on Ochola’s ‘People Power’ Utterances

The Uganda Police Force has come out to clarify that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martins Okoth Ochola is not in any way involved in divisive politics, following a video clip that quoted the IGP as having made a statement saying it is not an offence to be a member of Bobi Wine’s ‘People Power’ movement.

Police says the misreported statements by Ochola were made dueig the opening og a five-day retreat of Directors, Heads of Specialized Unites and Regional Police Commanders.

The edited version of the clip quotes Ocholas as having said; “…one time it went viral, when some police officers in Kajjansi were torturing some people for being members of people power. So, is it an offence to be a member of people power? Under which section of the penal code?”

But Police spokesperson, CP Fred Enanga has issued a statement says the clip edited out the segment containing the IGP’s crucial message on eradication of violation of rights of suspects especially torture as an investigative technique.

Enanga says the individuals behind the video clip in question chose “to instead portray the IGP as imparting a particular political message which could raise suspicious political bias or agenda”.

“We want to reiterate that the IGP is not into divisive politics and we would like to caution media actors on the importance of reporting of basic facts to avoid deliberate manipulations misleading the public about the validity and relevance of public statements,” the Police mouthpiece said.

He said the full speech pf the IGP has been made available on the Police website.