PRESIDENT MUSEVENI ISSUES GUIDELINES TO SECURITY OPERATIVES ON ARRESTING, INTERROGATION

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In Kampala—

President Museveni has again warned security agencies to refrain from brutalizing suspects during arrest and after arrest.

The Presidents warning comes after armed security men were captured on video brutally arresting Yusuf Kawooya on the street in the city centre and hitting him hard with gun butts before bundling him into a van and whisking him away.

In a letter addressed to the Chief of Defence Forces, Inspector General of Police and Directors General of Internal Security and External Security organisations on Sunday, Museveni said the arresting officers should always identify themselves before carrying out any arrest to avoid being doubted by the public

The security personnel should be patient, restrained but also firm. If the criminal resists arrest, wrestle him down and handcuff him, Museveni said.

If he strikes you, strike back hard with fist until he stops attacking you. If he tries to use a knife, a gun, a club or any dangerous missile when you are in close proximity, shoot him so as to disable him. If he is threatening to harmwanainchior destroy property, shoot him after due warning. It is, therefore, not necessary to make mistakes.

Recently, the army and police in a joint operation shot one Abdul Kateregga suspected to be part of group that killed ASP Muhammad Kirumira dead in what security described as a raid on a suspected terror cell in Namungoona, Rubaga division in Kampala.

Relatives would later petition the High Court in Kampala for an order of inquest into Katereggas death saying it was violent, unnatural and therefore is a subject to an inquest under the Inquests Act.

The president explained that any criminal arrested should never be beaten using sticks or even gun butts because it is not only unfair but also gives a bad image to the country.

You do not have to beat him (suspect) or maim him. He will be punished by being imprisoned or even hanged, if he is sentenced. Your job is to detect, investigate, arrest and interrogate the suspect by using the facts of your investigations, Museveni said.

Even if the criminal denies, the facts will pin him down. Constitutionally, the punishers of criminals in Uganda are the courts of law.

Source: www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
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