KAMPALA – President Museveni has ordered the Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija to provide money for the purchase of pick-up trucks for the transportation of military personnel that will now guard Members of Parliament.
The Commander in Chief’s directive is contained in his June 29 letter to the Minister in which he revealed plans to beef up the Legislators’ security on top of the Police officers who are already guarding some MPs.
The Commander in Chief wrote: “I therefore direct you to immediately acquire a fleet of 4wheel drive pick-ups with open carriage beds. Provide additional money for these vehicles quickly.
The Army will use them to guard the MPs and when the new systems are put in place, these vehicles will be given to Army officers as part of fleet for UPDF.”
Museveni kicked off his communication in letter placed in each of the MPs pigeon halls by giving a history of the mysterious murders arguing that some of the crimes were being committed with the possible elements in the Police, although he didn’t mention the so called elements.
The President said that whereas some arrests have been made, there are still some cases where arrests are yet to be made and Government has mounted pressure on Police demanding the new team to put an end to this impunity.
He assured Ugandans, through their leaders that the security of Uganda is unshakable, but also alluded to the fact that the systems he had earlier proposed may take a few months to be put in place.
But with the MPs however having been singled out for intimidation and possibly attack, Museveni then promised to protect the MPs as they wait for the new security measures to be put in place.
For the MPs having some Police guards at the moment, Museveni remarking that these will have to stay with the current arrangement, but will be beefed up with the sharp shooters of the Army and follow pick-ups that will be used by these sharp shooters.
“The pick-ups will be protected, in simple ways against small arm bullets. I can assure you, they will not be interesting targets for terrorists using kalashinovs. The sharp shooters themselves should get personal body amour and helmets that are bullet resistant. Even other Police-guards should also get body protection,” read in part Museveni’s letter.
However, the new security details won’t be for a life time with
Museveni stating that when the systems are installed, the army and Police guards will do away with individualized security as their continued presence tantamount to wastage of resources and man-power and concluded his letter by asking the Ministry to act fast, saying he is excepting them to carry out his directive with speed.
