BY DENIS KASULE: Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Richard Echega, has defended the conduct of security officers during the ongoing campaign period, saying their actions are guided by the Constitution and coordinated planning across different security organs.
He made the remarks during a meeting organised by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), where Chairperson Mariam Wangadya tabled concerns raised by election observers and members of the public from previous and current electoral processes.
Wangadya explained that the Commission meets security agencies before and during elections to share these concerns and provide an opportunity for the police to respond.
Among the recurring issues raised were alleged excessive force, clashes with supporters, plain-clothed operatives at rallies, and officers covering their name tags and vehicle number plates while on duty. “Our role is to present what observers and citizens have shared, with the hope that the issues can be addressed before they escalate,” Wangadya said.
In his response, CP Echega strongly defended the way police has been handling campaign activities in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono. He said all operations follow the law and are the result of joint planning with other security agencies.
“We are guided by the Constitution. When there is need to invite support from other agencies, we do so within the law,” he said. He emphasized that even when the army or prisons service joins an operation, the police remains firmly in charge. “All operations are police-led. We sit together, plan together and execute together,” he noted.
On allegations that unknown groups or “goons” interfere in campaign activities, Echega dismissed the claims, explaining that plain-clothed individuals seen at political events are authorised intelligence personnel.
“The people you see in civilian clothes are intelligence officers CID, Crime Intelligence and others. They work in plain clothes because that is the nature of intelligence,” he said. “There are no goons in our operations.”
Echega said that while police is often accused of using force, officers also face attacks from crowds, something the public rarely sees or records.
“Sometimes supporters become violent and start pelting stones at officers. But we are also human beings doing our job,” he said.
He added that the police does not set out to harm anyone. Referring to a recent chaotic scene in Kawempe involving a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, he said the violence was not planned by officers.
“We regret what happened. If anyone was beaten, we regret that. But that was not our intention,” he said.
Echega explained that tear gas is usually used only when crowds become uncontrollable, and injuries often come from people running in panic rather than from direct police action.
“Up to now, no one has come to report broken limbs due to police,” he said.
Responding to Wangadya’s concern about officers covering name tags and number plates, Echega agreed that the practice is wrong and punishable.
“You have seen mine clearly. Those who cover their names are disciplined. We have the Professional Standards Unit to handle such cases,” he said.
Echega highlighted that coordination with candidates and their campaign teams has reduced violence significantly.
“We talk to each other. We sit as candidates, agents and police to plan routes, venues and movement. Dialogue has helped us avoid bigger problems,” he said.
Wangadya, while appreciating the police commander’s explanations, urged continued cooperation between the police, the Commission and the Electoral Commission to ensure the safety, rights and freedoms of all Ugandans during the election period.