{UAH} Aronda Warns NGO's Not To 'Provoke' Uganda Police ( Or Else?)
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9:55 AM |
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Internal Affairs Minister Gen Aronda Nyakairima
Aronda described the confrontational approach as "old fashioned" and instead advised CSOs to promote dialogue.
"Civil society should promote dialogue and not confrontational and violent demonstrations while demanding for human rights and accountability," he said. He also asked the CSOs to tell the youth to stay away from street demonstrations, arguing that agitation for human rights comes along with responsibilities.
Aronda's message was contained in his speech read for him by the Under-secretary, ministry of Internal Affairs, Josephine Onya Wasike, at a workshop at Ridar hotel, Mukono, on Tuesday, to review the Democratic Governance and Accountability programme (DGAP). Aronda however, lauded DGAP for promoting democratic governance and accountability in the country.
The programme, he said, had empowered citizens to demand accountability and better service delivery from those in leadership.
"Government urges the European Union to continue supporting Uganda in good governance and accountability issues," he said, adding that the programme has strengthened government institutions.
Aronda however noted that low levels of adherence to transparency and inadequate political participation remained a challenge to good governance. On their part, some of the participants said that instead of simply asking the youth to shun street protests, government should seek to address the underlying causes of such demonstrations.
They also observed that, in many cases, lack of a platform for engagement pushes youth onto the streets. Benedict Byamugisha, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the funding had helped improve professionalism in the police force. More than 800 police officers, especially special police constables and former local administration police, were trained, he said.
"There is now an enhanced mechanism where the public can lodge complaints against errant police officers," Byamugisha said. However, participants were concerned that despite such training, the police had remained the same or even become more brutal in curtailing freedom of expression.
In response, Byamugisha said people (protestors) should also consider the human rights of police officers.
"You see, issues of security in most cases, there are no questions. If I'm saving life and tell you to disperse, you can't say 'later'. There are no questions but to respect the instructions," he said, stressing that the police force is struggling to improve the situation.
DGAP, a two-year programme (2011-2013), is funded by the European Union. The 12m-Euro grant aims to strengthen mechanisms for democratic governance and social accountability in the country.
The grant, part of the bilateral development support to Uganda, has supported government institutions such as the police force, prisons, Office of the Prime Minister, Parliament and 16 civil society organisations.ssekika@observer.ug
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