RPC: Police unwittingly recruits criminals

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police has blamed the local leaders for endorsing criminals from the community to join the armed forces.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Paul Wataka, the Acting Police Commander for Aswa region told URN recently in an interview that the police institution is battling with indiscipline of officers who are wrongly endorsed into the forces.

The Acting RPC of Aswa region noted that at the time of the recruitment, local leaders tend to recommend some criminals from the community whose characters are difficult to tame in the training.

Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson says if local leaders continue recommending criminals into the forces, discipline in the forces will be at stake.

Denis Acellam, the LC 1 of Layibi Godown in Bar-Dege Layibi division in Gulu city however says the recommendations they give at the time of recruitment is based on merit and good conduct.

Police is ranked the most corrupt institution in the country in a joint report by the Inspectorate General of Government and Uganda National Bureau of Statistics in the 2019/2020 report.

However, according to Okema, the nature of work police does expose the forces to temptation of corruption but noted that some of the public funds being swindled by government officials are hard to discuss.

At least 6 police constables in Elegu town council from Amuru district were last year accused of assaulting 27 women suspected to be sex workers.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Superintendent of Police Julius Mpande, the OC operation for Kitgum district was arrested in March for dealing in illegal logging.

*****

URN