Museveni issues guidelines to Security operatives on how to arrest criminals

President Yoweri Museveni has issued fresh guidelines to the military on how to arrest and handle terrorists, looters and other criminals. 

The president says UPDF should act as the army of the people and know that all Ugandans are their fathers, mothers, daughters and sons who should never be barked at or beaten during such arrests.

He also says foreigners should be treated well since they are guests, and not tortured. 

The statement released this morning comes a few weeks after Yusuf Kawooya, a DP supporter was violently arrested by  gun wielding men who would later be identified as UPDF officers. Kawooya was arrested during day time, beaten up and put into a waiting car. He was then driven off, only to be released this week. 

However, security organs came under fire when members of the public that witnessed the act recorded videos that went viral on social media. The captors have since been identified and appeared before the General Court Martial. 

This morning, the president says security operatives should use water cannons since they are non-lethal when dealing with rioters. He advises that they desist from using bullets in such conditions.

"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. All the Police forces in the world have shields and short sticks known as batons which they use to disperse hostile crowds" he said.

He add that the water cannons, shields, short sticks and the long knob-less sticks are all to deal with crowds that are assembling illegally or are threatening to kill people or damage property. The role of the shields is clear. It is to protect the Police from being harmed by flying stones or other missiles (bottles, etc). 

"If, however, the rioters do not stop after the Police use of shields and sticks (whether long or short) and, if the water cannons that are very effective are not available, then, the Police can use live bullets by first firing in the air; but, 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 warns. 

Therefore, those who speak about this subject should know that rioters, under certain conditions, can be shot legally and can also be beaten legally and legitimately. 
Mr. Museveni adds that; "it is, therefore, a serious miscalculation by the opportunist and criminal leaders to manipulate young people into such situations. Why do they not send their sons and daughters to riot?"

On the issue of suspected terrorists or murderers, the president says running away from the arresting team is a serious mistake. "You will be shot. Why?  If the Police do not disable you or kill you, they may never get another chance to catch you so that you answer for your crimes" he argues. 

This comes at a time when Parliament, human rights activists and members of the public condemned police for shooting dead the suspected murderer of late Buyende DP Muhammad Kirumira. 
The suspect was killed during a raid by security operatives to arrest the gang suspected to have been involved in several murders.  
Critics believe he should have been captured alive and prosecuted. 

Museveni advised bodyguards never to push away members of the public who try to approach leaders. "You should restrain them but not push them."
He adds that upon or during arrest, rioters should not be beaten up. "It is unnecessary and gives our country a bad image."

The president also defends the involvement of SFC, Military police and CMI in keeping law and order, claiming that it was all caused by infiltration of the police by "Kawukumi". He commended them for protecting the lives of Ugandans and their properties.