Why Do Police Fire Live Bullets At Citizens?

23 April 2011

editorial

Gerald Kato, a Senior Six leaver, is battling for his dear life at Mulago Hospital with a bullet still lodged in his skull. And a four-year-old girl was shot dead in Masaka on Thursday. These latest victims of police brutality were neither walking-to-work nor part of the demonstrations when a “stray live bullets” hit them.

The government must act now to stop this wanton police brutality against unarmed and innocent civilians. We have all seen other shocking images of trigger-happy policemen supported by some units of the military firing tear gas and live bullets at unarmed civilians who have been protesting the biting food and fuel prices in the country.

Already, four people have been reported dead in running battles with the Police, and according to the Uganda Red Cross Society, well more than 150 people have been injured. Those arrested are bundled onto police pick-up trucks in a very humiliating manner as the armed forces continue to use excessive force to break-up peaceful demonstrations.

But serious questions must now be asked. Are our armed forces properly trained and prepared to handle civil protests? These demonstrations have been largely peaceful until when the Police and other security agencies have intervened. And when they have, chaos have ensued exposing the lack of coordination, command and control among the forces deployed to deal with the demonstrators.

Second question: Who takes the responsibility for the shootings and killings of innocent citizens? The trigger-happy riot police have even lobbed teargas canisters into people’s homes, primary schools and health centres, injuring babies .

Most of the reported injuries are those of people who were not actually involved in demonstrations. Why then should Ugandans continue to suffer at the hands of armed forces who are charged with the primary duty of protecting us from loss of life and property?

It is clear from what has been displayed on the streets of Kampala and surrounding towns that the riot police are now well-equipped with all manner of anti-riot gear including armoured vehicles, rubber bullets, batons and tear gas. But did they get adequate training on how and when to use this equipment? And why do police continue to fire live bullets when quelling riots?

AllAfrica – All the Time