Security Analyst, Richard Kumadoe, has called for stricter regulation and enhanced oversight across the various categories of gun ownership and usage in the country as part of efforts to reduce the proliferation of firearms.
According to him, addressing the issue effectively requires a clear understanding of the different groups involved in the acquisition, manufacture, and use of firearms, with tailored measures for each category.
Speaking on the Channel One TV Newsroom on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Mr Kumadoe said there are individuals and entities whose legitimate business involves the importation of firearms, stressing the need for heightened scrutiny in that area.
“We have people whose legitimate job is to import guns into this country. I propose that there has to be enhanced due diligence in that regard. There are people who want to own a gun, but there have to be some serious background checks on them before they are allowed to own guns,” he said.
He also pointed to the activities of traditional gun manufacturers, noting that their operations must be properly controlled and monitored to prevent misuse.
“Then you have the traditional manufacturers. We have to control and monitor what they do in that space,” he added.
Mr Kumadoe further highlighted the role of traditional authorities, who maintain armories and often bring out firearms during festivals and funerals, arguing that closer collaboration is needed to regulate their use.
“We also have the traditional authorities who have their own armories, where during festivals and funerals they bring out these guns for the purpose of the event. We need to work with them to ensure that we have accreditation papers for them. This will stop the indiscriminate use of guns at funerals and events,” he stated.
He stressed that managing gun proliferation requires proper segmentation and regulation of each category involved.
“These are the categories of people we are dealing with and each segregation needs to be managed properly,” he said.
Mr Kumadoe also referred to findings from the National Security Risks Assessment, noting that certain jurisdictions have high concentrations of firearms due to specific security, cultural or socio-economic factors.
“In the National Security Risks Assessment, we have jurisdictions and locations where you have huge concentrations of guns. These guns are there for particular reasons, and why people in those areas will want to hold a gun,” he said.
He explained that persuading individuals in such areas to surrender firearms would require more than enforcement, including engagement and alternative assurances.
“You will have to persuade them and offer alternative forms of reasoning on why they should surrender their gun. Until we do that, some will not willingly surrender their guns,” he added.
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