The government has constructed modern structures and equipped a total of seven stations and staff quarters with the aim of improving safety and security in the Karamoja sub-region.
The facilities have been constructed in the districts of Abim, Amidst, Karenga, Kotido, Moroto, Napak, and Nakapiripirit under the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), a government program supported by the European Union and supervised by OPM.
Mayanja Gonzaga, the Commissioner for Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Governments at OPM, said the facilities include a fully furnished administration block, four self-contained cells to replace the bucket system, a solar system, a rainwater harvesting system, and two motorcycles to facilitate officers’ transport.
He said that a borehole has been built to serve both officers and the surrounding communities in each of the targeted districts.
Gonzaga noted that the establishment of community police stations will increase the footprint of the police and promote peace and security in Karamoja.
“I am happy to report that the selection of the police sites was carefully done to consider economic and security concerns in the locations. These police posts will be very important for ensuring the security of traders and the movement of goods and services in the area,” he said.
The Head of Section for Sustainable Development at the European Union Delegation to Uganda, Nadia Cannata, said the Union is aware that stability and security are preconditions for social and economic development in the sub-region.
“For this reason, over the years, we have continued to support the UPF in Karamoja to fulfill its mandate to protect the communities,” she added.
Maj Gen Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi, the Deputy IGP, appreciated the EU and OPM for continuously supporting police over the years, especially in the Karamoja Sub-region.
“The intervention has greatly enabled UPF to have tremendous achievements as far as enforcement of law and order is concerned,” he said.
Last year, OPM awarded contracts worth Shs 4.8 billion to seven firms to construct the police posts and accommodate facilities in Morulem in Abim District: Alakas (Amudat), Lokori (Karenga), Nakapelimoru (Kotido), Nakiloro (Moroto), Apeitolim (Napak), and Namalu (Nakapiripirit).
In addition, more than 500 officers were trained in community policing, human rights, and the management of gender-based cases to improve their capacity to serve better.