KAMPALA. — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has issued guidelines on the arrest of suspects and the handling of rowdy crowds amid complaints over growing misconduct by security operatives.
In a letter to the heads of security agencies made public on Monday,President Museveni said beating, shouting at suspects while arresting them is only acceptable in extreme casesHe said a rowdy crowd should be advised or be restrained if people are trying to go to an area where they are not supposed to be.
“Restraining members of the public from accessing certain areas can also involve barriers or ropes,” he said. In case of dealing with rioters, security agencies should use water canons, President Museveni said.
“I think the use of water cannons is the best way — it is strong, non-lethal and not noisy; tear-gas, rubber bullets should be discouraged because they are noisy and, sometimes, they can affect unconcerned people,” he said.
President Museveni said the police can also use shields and batons to disperse hostile crowds.The president said in case the rioters fail to heed police warning, then live bullets can be used, first firing in the air.
“If the rioters persist, the police will fire directly at the rioters to protect the lives and property of the law-abiding citizens or protect themselves from the rioters,” he said.
“Uganda has been stable for a long time. It will remain stable. Therefore, nobody should be allowed to threaten life, property or orderliness in Uganda,” he added.
President Museveni said shooting at rioters is legally acceptable under certain circumstances. The guidelines followed public concerns over alleged misconduct of security operatives when dealing with suspects and riots.
Security forces recently came into the spotlight after the brutal arrest of a suspect who was later charged with terrorism but released on police bond.
A video clip that went viral showed security operatives hitting a suspect with gun butts before he was shoved into a waiting vehicle with forged number plates. –Xinhua
