Parliament Summons Internal Affairs Minister over IGP’s ‘Stone Them’ Comment

Parliament has ordered the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Jejje Odongo to appear before House and explain circumstances surrounding orders issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Ochola to the public to stone unidentified police officers.

Addressing the media at the Police headquarters on Wednesday, the IGP noted that Police officers should always conduct arrests in a professional manner.

Ochola advised the public to ensure that the officers who come to effect arrest must first identify themselves as well as informing them the reason for arrest.

When asked how ordinary citizens should react when the arresting officers are armed, the IGP advised the public to use stones on them.

“A professional police officer is taught in school how to effect an arrest, first of all you must first identify yourself and secondly inform him that you are arresting him for A, B,C,” he said.

“If the arrest is made in the manner that you said, please help us and apprehend them. You arrest for us those people, if they are armed, you can get a stone and stone them,” Ochola said.

On Thursday, while presenting a matter of national importance, Kilaki South MP, Gilbert Olanya asked Parliament to compel the IGP to reverse the orders issued noting that this amounts to inciting violence.

Olanya said that short of this, the public might end up fighting police officers and resisting arrest which is against the law.

“The statement of the IGP is very serious. It looks as if he is encouraging mob-justice, inciting the public against police officers and this may compromise the security of the country,” Olanya said.

In her ruling, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga granted Olanya’s prayers and summoned the Minister of Internal Affairs to appear before the House and offer clarification on the orders.