Kisoro Police breach Covid- 19 SOPs and Pose threat to public- District leader says.

Kisoro Police breach Covid- 19 SOPs and Pose threat to public- District leader says. Police in Kisoro have come under heavy criticism after Kisoro district probation officer Kampire Moira accused them of breaching Covid -19 guidelines when on duty especially when carrying suspects to courts of law. The comments were made during this week’s district Covid-19 task force meeting held at Kisoro district headquarters.

According to Kampire Moira, police officers pack themselves on the police vehicle during operations without face masks. She noted that they no longer maintain social distancing and yet they need to be the ones setting the example for the public. “It worries me when I see how the Police transport suspects to court. The vehicle is often overloaded and no one is wearing a face mask, we need to share this habit before it’s too late, Moira explained.

She further pointed out that the Kisoro Police Station is a place where people walk in and out at all times of the day adding lack of screening equipment at the police shows a big weakness with the police force. Kisoro Police Respond The Kisoro District Police Liaisons officer Boaz Arinaitwe said it was simply an oversight by the Police because from the onset of the pandemic, the Police has been exemplary. “Our forces have been committed to observing the SOPs. It is possible they may have relaxed but we are going to revive the spirit of discipline,” Arinaitwe explained.

The Kisoro district acting Police Commander, A.S.P Steven Ogwang said the police has challenges of limited police vehicles, lack of testing kits. Ogwang noted that their Police cells are quite small but they do the best to use the facilities with consideration to the Covid-19 guidelines. Relatedly, the Kisoro district health officer in-charge of disease surveillance Nick Muneza said the district health department would be in position to assist the forces with testing and screening equipment but explained that Ministry of Health directives do not include supporting the Police.