RESPONSE TO OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT In his Open Letter to President Museveni, (Sunday Monitor, 9th November, 2014), Mr. Vincent Lengkeek of Netherlands made several observations, touching on various topics, following his recent visit to Uganda. In regard to Police, Mr. Lengkeek narrated an incident where his two female colleagues, presumably foreign, were riding on the same boda-boda, and were stopped by Policemen, who threatened to jail the ladies unless the ladies bribed them. Mr. Lengkeek questioned why his colleagues were singled out for harassment, yet the streets were flooded with boda-bodas carrying two or more persons. He further reported that another lady in his group was robbed, and abandoned, by a boda-boda rider at night. First, we sincerely thank Mr. Lengkeek for this feedback, and for his civic-driven decision to share his experience, and concerns, with the Government. From the outset, we would like to assure Mr. Lengkeek that the issues raised in his letter are being taken seriously, and will be acted upon promptly. Corruption among Policemen enforcing Traffic laws, and in the Police Force in general, is a challenge that we acknowledge facing; and one that we are conscientiously addressing. Uganda Police Force adopts a zero tolerance policy on corruption. It is for this reason that we have the Professional Standards Unit to monitor, and punish, indiscipline and professional misconduct within the Police. The Inspector-General of Police, General Kale Kayihura, has, in the recent past, personally undertaken definitive measures and interventions to combat corruption in the Police Force, and specifically, within the Traffic Police. Among these measures is the directive to rid the Traffic Police of undisciplined and ineffective officers. He has also launched a serious campaign to clean the Police Force and improve the quality of Police service in the country. These, and other stringent in-house measures, are part of our immediate solutions to confronting, and routing, corruption within the ranks of Uganda Police. Uganda Police does not condone corruption in any form, and when incidents such as the one witnessed by Mr. Lengkeek are brought to our attention, we take fast and decisive action on the officers involved, as well as review our procedures to minimize recurrence of similar incidents. In regard to Mr. Lengkeeks complaint, we do appreciate his distress, and we shall contact him to get details of the unpleasant event, and act on it.The acts of the officers involved were in direct breach of Police Code of Conduct. We would also like to point out that, while it is illegal for a motor-cycle rider to have more than one passenger riding pillion, we do not condone selective application of the law. And there is certainly no justification for Policemen to demand bribes, and threaten any suspected traffic offender with imprisonment, should any person be founding in breach of the law. We encourage members of the public to be vigilant, and exercise their civic duty, by reporting any attempts by Government officials to extort bribes, or any other illicit form of consideration . It is through the combination of such popular vigilance, and efforts within the Police, specifically the Professional Standards Unit, that shall help us build a disciplined Police Force; one that the public deserves. Fred Enanga Spokesman Uganda Police Force 10th November, 2014.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 12:07:39 +0000
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