Police has laid off 13 special police constables-SPCs in Luweero district for alleged incompetence as a result of chronic illness and old age. Geoffrey Mugabi, the officer in charge of Luweero Central Police Station says that the affected constables were subjected to interviews and were found unfit to continue serving the force.
He says that as a result, police decided to send the constables back home to start life as private citizens but will continue serving voluntarily as crime preventers within their areas. Mugabi says that since the constables were serving on contract they are not entitled to any benefits.
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He declined to reveal the identities of the affected constable but only said that they have been serving at various police stations and outposts in the district. The decision by police to lay off the SPCs has raised concern amongst residents and local leader saying that it may lead to the escalation of crime rates in the district because inadequate police manpower. Livingstone Kateregga, the LC 3 Kamira sub county says that his sub county has three police post, with only two cops each.
He says that sacked SPCs have been helping to fill in the manpower gap adding that, their sacking has already led to the escalation of crime. Katerega says that due to lack of manpower, the few police officers have decided to involve local council defense personal who lack any form of training. He appeals to Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police to deploy more cops or recruit new Special Police Constables.
David Kizito, a resident of Kasana trading center says that most residents are living in fear because the SPCs have been crucial in conduction night patrols to curb the rampant burglary in the area. He also appealed to police to replace the SPCs immediately. More than 17,000 SPCs are deployed across the country to work alongside police. However, last year Kale Kayihura, announced plans to lay off the SPCS and replace them with fully trained cops following reports that they were involved
