Richard M. Kavuma
23 August 2002
Col. Elly Kayanja has complained against new orders not to shoot to kill robbers on sight.
The Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police have instructed the "Operation Wembley" boss to avoid shooting armed robbers.
However, the colonel yesterday complained the orders have exposed his operatives to danger.
"Those procedures may help us but they may also kill us," Kayanja said. "What if the first shot kills me? How am I going to shoot back?"
A sad Kayanja said his operative Richard Muhangi died yesterday morning after being shot by a robber.
"We really need to examine whether these laws are correct or not," he said.
Kayanja told the weekly cabinet briefing at Nakasero in Kampala that AG Francis Ayume and IGP Katumba Wamala's "procedures of engagement" only allow his operatives to shoot if the robbers shoot first.
Kayanja's operation against armed robbers has come under attack for its method of shooting thugs on the spot.
Meanwhile, the General Court Martial to try armed robbers is to be commissioned today. Kayanja said files of at least 50 suspected robbers are ready for presentation to the court.
He said he has arrested 423 robbers, including five women.
On Tuesday, Kayanja's men arrested Maj. Sam Mwesigwa and one Lt. Benon of Mbarara barracks for supplying guns to robbers.
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