NRM in massive militia recruitment drive
By Timothy Nsubuga
6th Dec 2010
File Photo, Govt trained militias pass out in Kayunga
The ruling NRM government is unlawfully recruiting and deploying tens of thousands of armed militiamen in different parts of the country, the IPC has said.
The apparent trend has sent alarm bells ringing within the opposition who say it is a pre-emptive move by the NRM in anticipation of demonstrations against malpractices during next year’s elections.
According to a press release issued by the IPC, over the last few months, the police has amalgamated the Mobile Police Patrol Unit (MPPU) and Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) to form a Field Force Unit (FFU) which in Swahili slang is a.k.a “Fanya Fujo Uwone”, or “cause chaos and you will see”!
The opposition coalition is wondering whether such a force is really necessary. According to the IPC, in addition to the above paramilitary groups, a new unit known as the ‘Village Crime Fighter’ has been recruited in Ntungamo district.
The IPC claims that so far nearly thirty thousand youth have been recruited in this district alone. They are therefore questioning why a country with an entire police force of 38,000 should recruit a paramilitary force that is nearly the size of the entire police force to serve a single district.
The IPC alleges that this unit has been specifically created to boost First Lady Janet Museveni’s re-election bid through vote rigging and voter intimidation in Ntungamo.
The IPC is also concerned about the announcement by the Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura that 18,000 polling constables will be recruited and deployed to provide security at polling centers.
This announcement, if true, contravenes electoral guidelines that give the Electoral Commission exclusive responsibility to secure polling stations across the country. The IPC is now demanding an explanation from the IGP saying as stakeholders, they were not consulted about this massive militia recruitment and deployment.
The press release signed by the IPC’s Director of Publicity and Communications Margaret Wokuri further alleges that two other groups totalling about fifteen thousand have been recruited in Kapeka and Singo under the command of Gen. Elly Tumwine and Brigadier Mugisha respectively.
The IPC says the aim of the press release was to draw the attention of the Electoral Commission and the international community to the apparent systematic efforts by the ruling NRM government to intimidate opposition voters and rig the elections due in February next year.
The government and the police are yet to react to the allegations. END. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
