By Benjamin Epeduno, Charles Achoda
KATAKWI
The Minister of State for Education and Sports in charge of the Sports docket has given police in Katakwi district one day to arrest people terrorizing locals in Olupe village or else they face consequences.
Hon. Peter Ogwang sounded the warning following gross insecurity situation in Olupe village, Ngariam sub sub county Katakwi district in which locals are having sleepless nights over land related cases perpetuated by few individuals.
During a community meeting organized by the Minister who is also the area MP on Tuesday 24th Jan 2023, the angry residents said, despite the reported cases against a one David Amanu who terrorizes them, police has never taken any action against him instead they are being hunted left and right and arrested. This has brought about insecurity in their village.
Martin Okwele, a resident of Olupe openly accuses police of collaborating with people who terrorize them over land related cases saying whenever they report their concerns to police, they are again arrested and the suspect is left out.
“How can one person terrorize the whole village over land and police sides with him. Police is supposed to protect and keep the law and the people but in Katakwi district, they collaborate to terrorize locals. President Museveni should intervene and rescue us from these police officers,” Okwele said.
Last week, police officers opened fire on civilians who had gone to find out the unexplained arrests of locals in Olupe village injuring many who are currently under medication from the different hospitals in the region.
Minister Ogwang apologized on behalf of President Museveni and the NRM government over unexplained actions of police.
“I am sorry on behalf of H.E The President and NRM gov’t but I assure you this impunity must stop. We can’t continue operating like this as if there is no gov’t. As your leader, I am going to pay all the medical bills of those admitted in the different hospitals,” Ogwang said.
Ogwang wondered why police in the district are failing their constitutional mandate of keeping law and order and instead collaborate to cause insecurity.
Meanwhile, the DPC ASP Damiano Tusime and Deputy RDC for Katakwi Vincent Okwi boycotted the community meeting despite the invite from the Minister.
Meanwhile, the few people said maybe the duo refused to attend the meeting with fears of being beaten or shouted at by the communities around.
The Senior RDC for Katakwi, Rtd Maj Godfrey Katamba is on a one month’s leave.
On record since the Senior RDC for Katakwi left for a one month’s leave, the District has continuously had ups and downs in line to leadership which include; the Balaalo herdsmen incidents, shooting of over 5 civilians and Kapujan communities that clashed over the death of one person whom a few elements killed.
