The leadership of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in consultation with several security stakeholders have agreed to redeploy Local Defence Unit (LDU) to neutralize crime that has soared in the last three weeks.
According to the Defence Spokesperson Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, the LDU force will operate only at night to contain criminality.
Byekwaso said, the redeployment of this notorious force which had been withdrawn due to public outcry hinges on calls issued by local council leaders to the administration of UPDF that crime has skyrocketed around the country.
“Owing to the withdrawal of Local Defence Forces from active operations to go back for refresher training, the level of criminality has since increased especially during the night. Severally, local leaders and the general public have petitioned security leaders to re-engage them in order to contain the situation,” Brig. Byekwaso said in a statement on Tuesday.
She added that, “Following in-depth consultations with security stakeholders, it has been agreed as follows: That LDUs (Local Defence Units) who have undergone and completed their training, resume operations only at night in support of the Uganda Police Force to curtail criminal activities.”
That LDU’s shall also participate in intelligence led limited operations on specific targets on request and in support of Uganda Police Force.
That members of the Local Defence Force shall not participate in daytime enforcement of COVID 19 directives outlined by the Ministry of health and the head of state.
“The public is therefore implored to cooperate and support these forces in this noble duty of ensuring that every Ugandan is safe and secure from any threat and all acts of criminality,” Byekwaso said.