Over two thousand new election cops in West Nile just got a serious talking to about staying in line. Officials warned the 2,232 graduates from Zombo, Nebbi, Pakwach, and Madi-Okollo districts against bribery, extortion, drunkenness, and harassing people. They will be posted at polling stations in pairs for the upcoming national vote, armed only with batons.
Zombo's RDC Festus Ayikobua told them the uniform is a national symbol not to be disgraced, threatening immediate dismissal and legal action for misconduct. Regional police commander SP Latif Zaake said wearing the uniform means one foot is already in prison, promising criminal prosecution for any offences. The group, including 650 women, trained for two weeks at the Kyambogo University grounds in Paidha on procedures, human rights, and crowd control.
This batch brings the total of such officers in West Nile to 5,144. Separate graduations also happened in Yumbe District for 1,570 constables, and in Koboko for another 1,640 from nearby districts, with all officials stressing discipline and integrity. The national police force is recruiting 100,000 of these temporary officers countrywide for election security, each getting a monthly stipend.
Zombo's RDC Festus Ayikobua told them the uniform is a national symbol not to be disgraced, threatening immediate dismissal and legal action for misconduct. Regional police commander SP Latif Zaake said wearing the uniform means one foot is already in prison, promising criminal prosecution for any offences. The group, including 650 women, trained for two weeks at the Kyambogo University grounds in Paidha on procedures, human rights, and crowd control.
This batch brings the total of such officers in West Nile to 5,144. Separate graduations also happened in Yumbe District for 1,570 constables, and in Koboko for another 1,640 from nearby districts, with all officials stressing discipline and integrity. The national police force is recruiting 100,000 of these temporary officers countrywide for election security, each getting a monthly stipend.
