Africa-Press – Uganda. ELECTION WATCH | SECURITY
Security bosses have said they are fully prepared to ensure a peaceful election come January 14, 2021, on the polling days and after.
The deputy Internal Security Organisation Director General, Maj. Emmy Katabazi said it is hard to separate politics from the army because they always need to know what is going on in the country, to plan better.”If you separate politics from the army, it might cause problems. That is why we have army representatives in Parliament. If you try to hide anything from the army, those highly trained professionals you see will be enthusiastic to know what you don’t want them to know,” he noted.This was during the flagging off of the NRM vote protection teams in Kampala.Katabazi stressed that security agencies are ready to ensure the process is peaceful.”Our work is to ensure peace and security, as Ugandans enjoy their political freedom. Our intelligence is on the ground and we are monitoring every activity. On January 14, we shall ensure results are delivered peacefully. Ugandans need not be worried,” he added.He said as security agencies mandated to protect people and their property, they will not allow any kind of intimidation/suppression from various groups against others.”I advise those intending to do such to stop,” he warned.The Army Political Commissar, Maj Gen. Henry Matsiko said the army is on top of the situation.”We have mapped out the high-level civic competence and we shall be reaching out to the public to sensitize them on various issues. But before we bring out our mechanism to mitigate threats, the first player should be the political force,” he noted.”You are closer to the population and you can monitor closely what is going on. As you get assurance from the UPDF, know you are in a campaign, which demands for vigilance,” he noted.He said the public needs to work closely with security for effectiveness.”We are going to foster our role in promoting harmony and understanding with the population, especially where some forces are intimidating our people. But you must be at the forefront,” Matsiko noted. The Director of Crime Intelligence in Police, Brig. Chris Damulira, said they are ready to ensure the process is conducted in a peaceful environment.”We have been following the elements of anti-peace elements in Uganda and beyond. Some individuals want to destabilise the process, which we cannot allow,” he added.He stressed that police as the lead force in securing process has been boosted with manpower with over 50,000 Special Police Constables (SPCs) and polling officers to ensure Ugandans vote peacefully.
