The works on the first phase for the newly acquired Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras intended to cover surveillance systems for Kampala Metropolitan Area is at 60% success.
The directive for the installation of CCTV Cameras came after the Country mainly Kampala and its Metropolitan was hit by a crime wave by unknown assailants in the last (4-5) years. This left a number of prominent Ugandans like Joan Kagezi, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, Former Arua Municipality Legislator Ibrahim Abiliga, Maj Gen Muhammad Kigundu and others murdered in cold blood.
This led the head of state President Museveni to order for installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras along major highways, towns and cities all over the country to help curb crime by aiding investigations. As for its agency Chinese Company Huawei was contracted to implement the project together with the Uganda Police Force IT department.
As the first phase of Installations nears completion slated for 30th December 2019, while addressing a weekly press briefing on 15th April 2019 at police headquarters in Naguru, deputy police spokesperson Polly Namaye said, A bigger percentage of the installation work is already in place. An area measuring 795.37 kilometers is already covered with fibre optic cables which are crucial for the CCTV cameras.”
The total number of cameras to be installed during the first phase is 3233 and so far 60% (1940) of these have been installed, Namaye added.
She also said that several police commanders, technicians and camera operators have completed training. And she indicated that phase two is to cover municipalities, highways and towns.
According to Namaye, as part of the first phase of the project, police divisions including Katwe, Central Police Station in Kampala, Old Kampala, Jinja road, Wandegeya, Kajjansi, Nansana, Entebbe, Wakiso, Kawempe, Kira and Kasubi have been connected.
To note is that the contribution of the CCTV Cameras in curbing criminality is already evident. Namaye said that, So far with the help of the cameras, we have successes in twenty seven (27) incidents around CPS Kampala, eight (8) around Katwe, six (6) around Old Kampala and seven (7) crime incidents at Wandegeya.
Meanwhile Parliament of Uganda on Thursday 25thApril 2019 approved a loan request of $104m from Standard Chartered Bank to fund installation of the second phase of CCTV across all the remaining towns of Uganda.
Its better some spots due to their vulnerability should be give first attention as installation goes on. Its also clear that the CCTV Cameras do not work in areas that are not well lightened with enough security and straight lights. And therefore the Government should also device means of extending these lights in order achieve the intended goals.
However, the cameras may not be put every where and projects like Community policing should not be abandoned but instead be revamped more to complement the CCTV Cameras.
It should be remembered that the project is expected to cost the tax payer Shillings 458 billion once completed.