Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba has reassured the people of Kasese of continued peace and stability, urging them to remain calm, united, and focused on development despite recent security threats in the region.
He made this assurance on Wednesday during his visit to kasese district where he engaged with various security stakeholders and religious leaders in the region, seeking their input and cooperation in developing long-term solutions to the security challenges faced by the community in Kasese.
Byakagaba said his trip was aimed at strengthening ties between the police, local leaders, and residents as part of ongoing efforts to enhance community safety.
“I am in Kasese basically to be together with our people—first, to check on our security personnel, and secondly, to engage with the community and local leadership,” he said.
“I’m glad that we are all working together, using the same lens to look at our security problems. All our efforts are geared towards the provision of security and the development of our country.”
The IGP commended the warm reception he received from the people of Kasese and expressed satisfaction with the spirit of cooperation among security agencies, local leaders, and the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu kingdom officials.
“I would like to assure our people that our relationship with the kingdom is very tight, very good, and very positive,” Byakagaba said.
“We are gearing up for the coming event on Friday, and we are calling upon people to come and participate in the run and all other kingdom activities peacefully.”
Byakagaba urged residents not to be swayed by individuals he described as “misguided” and “confused,” emphasizing that those behind recent violent incidents were few and would be brought to justice.
“One message to our people—let them not allow to be misguided and confused,” he said. “We are aware that those are very few people, and we shall isolate them as we continue working for the prosperity of this country.”
He assured the public that security forces had arrested several suspects linked to the attacks and that they would face the law.
“I want to assure our people that they should remain stable and feel secure because we are there for them,” he said.
“Nobody is going to disorganize their good living. The misguided are very few, and a good number have been arrested. We are going to process them through the courts of law as we continue to work for the progress of this country.”
The Police Chief also praised the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu leadership for supporting government efforts to restore calm in the region.
“Musinga wa Rwenzururu has helped us so much to ensure that we are getting back to normal,” he noted. “People are really settling down and returning to their normal businesses.”
Byakagaba further encouraged residents to prepare to participate peacefully in upcoming national activities, including elections.
“I want to assure our people of complete security,” he said. “People should be prepared to exercise their rights and vote, and then we shall have the leadership they desire.”
His visit comes days after machete-wielding attackers targeted police and army installations in Kasese, injuring several officers.
The IGP was accompanied by several senior officers, including the Director of CID, AIGP Tom Magambo, AIGP Frank Mwesigwa, the Director of Operations AIGP John Nuwagira, the Commander of the Field Force Unit (FFU), AIGP Ubaldo Bamunoba, the Chief Political Commissar; and SCP Charles Asaba, the Deputy Director of Crime Intelligence, among other senior officers.
