Police Constable (PC) Batuka Juma has been circulating false information with the aim of defaming the police and some selected officers in the institution.
According to the police, Batuka falsely accused it of allegedly frustrating his redeployment for 10 months since his return from the peacekeeping mission in Somalia, where he served under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). He also alleges that he was emotionally tortured and charged disciplinarily in an illegal court.
In response, police revealed that Batuka’s discipline was constantly decaying, stating that he assaulted a superior officer from Sierra Leone and was involved in consuming and dealing drugs.
According to the police, where conduct falls below the high standards expected by the force, undisciplined officers are subjected to disciplinary or criminal sanctions.
“Therefore, when their conduct falls below the high standards expected by the mission and the Uganda Police Force (UPF), it’s important that disciplinary sanctions are taken against them”, the statement released by the police on Wednesday read.
According to police, after AMISOM wrote a letter explaining the ill manners of PC Batuka, it was recommended that the officer undergo a disciplinary process, but he defied the disciplinary court.
In the statement, the police force warned police officers against indiscipline, stating that the police leadership will not act in favor of any kind of indiscipline in the institution because good conduct is their priority.
“We would like to use this opportunity to remind all police officers that tackling police misconduct and abuse of position are priorities of the leadership of the UPF. Therefore, there is absolutely no room for complacency, when officers act with impunity, irrespective of whether they are serving abroad or at home”, the statement read.
With other charges of misconduct, including threats of violence against a superior office, the police will continue with the misconduct hearing against Batuka in a fair and transparent manner and will ensure the best course of action is undertaken.