UPF Responds to Allegations of Frustrating Officer’s Redeployment

The Uganda Police Force has responded to allegations made by PC Batuka Juma, who accused the institution and selected officers of frustrating his redeployment, 10 months after his return from the Peace Keeping Mission in Somalia, where he served under AMISOM. Juma claims he was emotionally tortured and charged disciplinarily in an “illegal kangaroo court”.

Police Spokesperson, SCP Enanga Fred, addressed the matter in a statement, saying that Juma had a history of misconduct during his time in AMISOM, including assaulting a superior officer from Sierra Leone and consuming and dealing drugs. SCP Enanga Fred stressed that undisciplined officers are subjected to disciplinary or criminal sanctions when their conduct falls below the high standards expected by the force.

“When officers are deployed in any mission, they legally remain part of the UPF serving our nation, though practically working under the African Union or United Nations,” he said.

SCP Enanga emphasized that Juma’s behaviour was so serious that the leadership of AMISOM wrote a misconduct letter about him to the IGP, which affected the trust and confidence the leadership of AMISOM and Sierra Leone had about the UPF’s performance.

Juma defied the disciplinary court which was convened at the Police Headquarters, and continued lobbying several officers for his redeployment, without success. Additional charges of misconduct, including threats of violence against a superior officer under the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, have been added.

“The force will continue with the misconduct hearing against PC Batuka Juma in a fair and transparent manner and will ensure the best course of action is undertaken. Failure to appear before the disciplinary court will further taint his record,” says Enanga.

He also reminded all police officers that tackling police misconduct and abuse of position are priorities by the leadership of the UPF, and there is absolutely no room for complacency when officers act with impunity, irrespective of whether they are serving abroad or at home.