The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, has vowed to put in place tough measures against police officers who defy orders to go for further training.
Gen Kayihura, while passing out a combined force of 532 police and army officers who completed a six-month Basic Officers Course at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in Jinja District last Friday, said all officers who refused to go for training should cease work with immediate effect.
“What is the mental state of someone who is called to acquire capacity to defend his or her job and they don’t show up? Those who did not attend must answer,” Gen Kayihura said.
Many police officers have been rejecting offers to go for training courses organised locally. Some perceive training as a punishment while others claim they have illnesses.
Gen Kayihura ordered Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi, the head of the Directorate of Police Human Resource, to work with the Police Professional Standards Unit to investigate cases of disobeying lawful orders.
“Kaweesi, those who did not attend the course must answer. You can use the support of Professional Standard Unit and ask them to show cause why they should not go to Luzira [Prisons] for disobeying lawful orders,” Gen Kayihura said.
Mr Kaweesi said: “It is unbelievable that a person declines to attend a course in Uganda but when you decide to send this person to cold places like Russia, he or she will offer all what it takes to attend that course. We will ensure nobody declines to attend these courses unless they want to leave the Force,” Mr Kaweesi said.
Lt Col Saad Katemba, the commandant of the Non-commissioned Officers Academy, said officers were trained on map reading, administrative leadership and weapons handling, among other things.
