Police say attack on Lubowa Station was action of rogue soldiers
“We want to appreciate our officers for acting professionally. They went through that incident without retaliating. Despite being provoked, they maintained discipline and didn’t open fire on the attackers,” Onyango stated.
Speaking during a press briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that investigations into the incident—during which police officers were assaulted and property vandalised—are ongoing and being handled at a higher level. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Simon Masaba
Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Police have described the recent armed raid on Lubowa Police Station by officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) as the act of indisciplined individuals rather than a coordinated move by the army as an institution.
Speaking during a press briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that investigations into the incident—during which police officers were assaulted and property vandalised—are ongoing and being handled at a higher level.
“We want to appreciate our officers for acting professionally. They went through that incident without retaliating. Despite being provoked, they maintained discipline and didn’t open fire on the attackers,” Onyango stated.
He added that some off-duty officers residing nearby chose not to respond with force, helping to prevent further escalation.
“This wasn’t a coordinated act by the UPDF as an institution. It was the work of indisciplined individuals in uniform. The Uganda Police Force remains in full control of its mandate and operations,” Onyango emphasised.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, the UPDF acknowledged the fracas and attributed it to a likely failure of coordination between operatives on routine patrol and the police officers at the station.
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“It is probable that the ensuing fracas was simply a failure of coordination between the security officers on routine patrol and the police elements at the station,” said acting army spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi.
“This matter is now being reviewed internally by the UPDF and Police authorities and will be resolved at the earliest opportunity. It is important for the security forces to always synchronise and work in harmony to effectively deliver on their mandate: peace and security for the people of Uganda,” the statement added.
Both institutions say they are working together to ensure accountability and restore inter-agency harmony.