IBANDA – The Uganda Police Force has initiated a community engagement program in Ibanda District following the brutal mob killing of Police Constable (PC) Suleiman Chemonges. The officer, 28, who was attached to the Bisheshe Police Station, was killed while on duty during the burial of Lazarus Kahangire, an inmate who had died in custody at Nyabuhikwe Government Prison. The incident occurred in Bisheshe, Muziza Central Ward, Kyembogo LC1, creating tension between security forces and local residents.
To address the situation and promote reconciliation, the Chief Political Commissioner of Police, AIGP Ubaldo Bamunoba, convened a high-level meeting at the scene of the killing. Attendees included members of the District Security Committee, local leaders, and police officers. The aim of the meeting was to assess the situation on the ground and develop strategies to rebuild trust between the police and the community.
During the engagement, AIGP Bamunoba underscored the critical importance of community policing and the shared responsibility of both the police and the public in ensuring safety and justice within the district.
“We have strengthened the community policing approach in Ibanda to restore trust and ensure public safety as part of a broader initiative to improve police-community relations,” Bamunoba stated.
He also announced that a sensitization program is already underway. This program is designed to educate the public on the dangers and consequences of mob justice, as well as to highlight the crucial role that the community plays in upholding law and order.
“The community has been mobilized for a sensitization program aimed at reducing fear and promoting peace. The program focuses on the effects of mob justice and the importance of community policing,” he added.
The police’s proactive engagement follows growing concern over an increase in incidents of mob justice in the region. Authorities believe that these acts are often fueled by a lack of trust in formal justice systems and the spread of misinformation. By establishing platforms for open dialogue and providing civic education, the police hope to foster a greater understanding and cooperation between the community and security agencies, ultimately discouraging people from taking the law into their own hands.
Local leaders have welcomed the police initiative and have pledged their full support for efforts aimed at restoring calm and promoting cooperation within the community. They also reiterated their demand for justice for the slain police constable and urged residents to seek peaceful and lawful avenues for resolving any grievances they may have.
The Uganda Police Force has reaffirmed its overarching commitment to deepening its engagement with communities across the country, particularly in areas that have been affected by conflict and insecurity. The initiative in Ibanda is seen as a key step in this broader effort to build stronger, more collaborative relationships between the police and the citizens they serve.
