UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The 2022 Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) report has highlighted the dire state of police stations and posts across the country.
The report reveals that at least 150 police facilities are housed in dilapidated buildings, posing safety risks to police officers and compromising their ability to serve the community effectively.
Additionally, a significant number of these stations lack basic amenities such as toilet facilities, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the police force.
The UHRC report underscores the pressing issue of dilapidated police infrastructure and office space constraints.
Many police stations and posts are situated in old and rundown structures that require immediate attention. The report also highlights the inadequate accommodation provided to police staff, with families often having to share rooms or resort to renting from local communities.
These poor living conditions not only affect the well-being of officers but also impact their ability to carry out their duties effectively.
While the report indicates that dilapidated police facilities are a concern across all districts, the conditions in Kitgum District are particularly severe.
The UHRC expresses deep concern over the state of police accommodation in this area, emphasising the urgent need for demolition, renovation, and new construction to address the dire situation.
The UHRC report further highlights the lack of basic amenities in several police stations and posts. For example, the Dzaipi police station in Adjumani District was found to have no toilet facilities, while an officer at Lotome police post in Napak District was residing in the kitchen of the Officer in Charge (OC).
Additionally, a significant number of police facilities lack staff accommodation altogether.
According to the report, out of the total 1,921 police stations and posts in Uganda, 437 are housed in rented premises, 728 in local government structures, 551 in community-housed facilities, 245 in NGO structures, and 455 in Uganda Police Force-owned structures.
In light of these findings, the UHRC recommends that the Uganda Police Force cease using units as residential quarters due to their unsuitability for human habitation.
The commission further emphasises the need for the demolition, renovation, and reconstruction of dilapidated facilities to ensure decent accommodation for police personnel.
However, the report also sheds light on another concerning issue. It reveals that the Uganda Police Force was the main perpetrator of human rights violations, with 441 complaints registered against the Force. This underscores the urgent need for reforms within the police force to address both infrastructure challenges and human rights abuses.
Coinciding with the release of the UHRC report, a section of social media users has initiated a campaign to shed light on the welfare and operations of the Uganda Police Force.
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