UGANDA, Mityana | Real Muloodi News | Residents of Namutamba Village in Bulera Sub-county, Mityana District, find themselves in a state of frustration as they await the activation of a newly constructed building intended to house a police post in the area.
The project, funded by residents, stands ready with office space, storage facilities, and staff quarters, but the absence of police officers has left the community feeling vulnerable.
John Livingstone Kataza, a local leader, expressed disappointment at the delay, stating, “We have been in touch with the police authority and we briefed them about this project. After completing it, we alerted them to bring police officers to come and occupy it but they are not responding.”
The decision to establish the police post was driven by the need to enhance security in Namutamba, given the distance to the nearest police station, which is more than 10 kilometres away in Mityana Town or Bulera Village.
Namutamba, known for its tea estates, tea factories, and educational institutions, has emerged as a burgeoning business hub, attracting individuals with significant financial interests.
Deogratius Lweza, a concerned resident, highlighted the importance of security for the community’s economic activities, stating, “We are worried that if we do not get back the police, some people may run away from Namutamba and this will lead us behind in development.”
The closure of Namutamba Police Post, along with several others in the region, occurred in January 2022 following a series of attacks on police stations in Mityana, Kiboga, and Kassanda districts.
Wamala regional police spokesperson Rachael Kawala explained that the closures were a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding police officers in vulnerable areas.
“The posts are not closed for good, they were prone to attacks because they lacked enough manpower, but when we get more manpower, they will definitely be reopened,” she assured.
However, the closure of police posts has raised concerns about the accessibility of law enforcement services in affected areas.
Francis Nsubuga, the officer-in-charge of Nakasozi Police Post in Kiboga District, and Paul Ddumba, another officer, were fatally shot on December 16, 2022, prompting heightened security measures.
Similarly, incidents such as the attack on officers Alfred Oketch and Moses Kigongo in Mityana District underscored the risks faced by law enforcement personnel in the region.
Despite assurances from police authorities, the delay in reopening the Namutamba Police Post has left residents feeling vulnerable and exposed to security threats.
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