Public servants especially civilians currently guarded and escorted by soldiers are set to lose the privilege in changes announced by the army.
Col. Innocent Oula, the UPDF 4th division commander has said the army intends to withdraw all the soldiers assigned to guard civilian VIPs to pave way for deployment of the police to the duty of providing security. The police force has a command structure with specialized field created to handle the safety of Very Important People and Vital installations.
Despite this, however, it has remained common to see sections of civilian public servants being guarded by armed soldiers instead of the police. But Oula says that is set to change. He said he has already communicated to the civilian public servants in the division who are still being guarded by soldiers. Oula particularly said he has written to Resident District Commissioners informing them that the army intends to withdraw the soldiers who have been escorting them.
He said the prevailing peace in the region makes it irrelevant for the officials to continue being escorted by armed soldiers.
Chris Owori Odoi, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner has expressed discomfort at the thought of losing military escorts. He said the army should allow them to continue having the escorts for a period he does not specify. He said the new plan could hit a dead end if poorly handled.
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