KAMPALA -Uganda Police Force (UPF) have partnered with the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) on an initiative to adopt human rights as a foundation and purpose of policing.
On the second day of the two-day retreat that is ongoing at Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel, Police said the aim is brainstorming on the emerging issues and articulate initiatives of adopting Human rights as a foundation and purpose of policing.
The event started on Thursday 30 involving UPF and UHRC top persons and this was officiated by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) J.M Okoth Ochola.
The IGP thanked the Uganda Human Rights Commission for organizing the retreat and accepting to partner with the police in eradicating human rights abuses.
“The involvement of the UPF and UHCR staff in this strategic thinking process will ensure that we all understand, appreciate, internalize, own challenges and implement recommendations that will facilitate proper policing,” IGP Ochola said.
He noted there are two broad goals for this retreat.
“First exchange views on pressing concerns affecting our work of promoting human rights and to strengthen our collaborative relationships in enforcing human rights issues,” he added
However, at the same retreat UHRC condoned Police for its impunity towards human rights most especially in highly political charged situations like electoral periods.
UHRC chairperson Meddie Kaggwa noted that in demonstrations, security operative like the military police and regular army officers overstep the acceptable limits.
The commissioner Chairperson was concerned that, “these operatives frequently go unpunished.”
In response, police chief Martins Okoth Ochola, says have set up disciplinary measures to deal with officers who violate rights.
The IGP also added that the Force has over the years held series of workshops, seminars and retreats in efforts to chart strategic direction towards the effective discharge of its mandate with respect to human rights.
“The police have taken some serious initiatives to implement these policies such remarkable progress in the infrastructural development in respect to suspects’ accommodation,” he added.
Mr. Ochola also confirmed that the bucket system has been eliminated in all newly constructed police stations and conducted human rights training for police officers on various laws such as anti-torture Act and public order management
“Act, set up disciplinary mechanisms and units such as the professional standards unit to handle errant officers that violet other people’s rights,” the IGP said.
