KAMPALA – The Minister of Internal Affairs, Jeje Odong has rubbished reports that the lives of Ugandans are at risk because of what he calls few incidences of kidnap and murder arguing that the Country’s security isn’t as bad as the opposition and social media are trying to depict.
“Security isn’t bad as it is portrayed it is continuing to improve. Stop politicising security. Security is a common good, let us continue ensuring security. We can all make Uganda a much safer place to stay in,” said Hon Odong.
The Minister made the remarks on Friday while responding to a question posed by Hon Francis Zaake, the Mityana Municipality MP who tasked Government to explain the recent kidnaps and murder of Ugandans.
While responding to the matter on September 5, Minister Odong said that there is no society that is crime free and the beauty of all governments is to ensure that there is adequate public safety adding that the security situation within the country is relatively good.
He said, “The apparent situation is social media hype. The social media hype is partly good it increases awareness among citizens. The security agencies are trying to understand reasons behind this new trend. Politics is one of the drivers and NRM has been key at restoring peace and security in Uganda. Many NRM detractors know this and they’re trying to create impression that NRM is nothing to protect its citizens.”
He highlighted some of the things government intends to do, which include; plans to improve the rapid response hotline 999 so as to improve contact and response with citizens.
The Minister also said that security agencies are facing challenges of numerous duplicate phones whose duplicate IMF numbers make it hard to trace the calls made by criminals behind kidnaps and murders.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is also holding discussions with Ministry of Finance to scrap off tac on CCTV camera for private purchase to make the items affordable arguing, “CCTV cameras are still expensive, removing tax would be desirable to make cameras more affordable. We have seen how some private CCTV cameras have been helpful in fighting crime.”
However, Hon Zaake castigated Hon Odong for accusing the Opposition for the security situation in the country stating.
“We aren’t politicking this matter, people are kidnapped and murdered daily. What are you doing to help relatives get justice? You talked about 999 lines, but they don’t work, you can spend the whole day, they never go through. Even private numbers of Police officers, the officers don’t pick up,” he said.
