The Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. Maj Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has warned police against making arrests before investigations.
Speaking during a visit to Jinja Road Police station, Otafiire said that he is tired of the unlawful arrest and false imprisonment of Ugandans by security agencies, especially police.
According to Otafiire, arrest without making investigation is an abuse of their office.
He asked the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola, to order his men to stop arresting people before conducting thorough investigation.
“Many of the people you arrest are innocent,” said Otafiire.
He stated that they are going to start taking action against the officers involved in unlawful arrests.
“When you’re found to have unlawfully arrested anyone, you’ll be charged for the unlawful arrest and abuse of office,” he said.
His comments come at a time when the opposition, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, to be specific, has alleged that security forces have abducted more than a dozen of its supporters in the past month.
Last week, the NUP leader posted the details of various supporters that have been reportedly abducted by security operatives.
Bobi Wine indicated that NUP supporters and all those in the Opposition must take precautionary measures.
“As we register several new cases of state-engineered abductions, all political activists need to take some precautions; try to have airtime at all times; don’t move alone, especially at night; don’t open [your house] to people you don’t know; [and] avoid meeting strangers,” he said.
