Uganda Local Defense Forces (LDUs) have returned to patrol at night in the streets of Kampala after a three weeks suspension. UPDF spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Brig Byekwaso, LDUs were redeployed on Monday after the completion of their training and will resume operations only at night in support of the Uganda Police Force to curtail criminal activities.
Several local leaders and the general public have requested security leaders to return the army on the ground following an increase in crime rate at night.
“Owing to the withdrawal of Local Defense Forces from active operations to go back to refresher training, the level of criminality has since increased especially during the night,” Brig Byekwaso said.
She also added that the members of the Local Defense Force shall not participate in daytime enforcement of Covid-19 directives outlined by the Ministry of Health and the head of State.
Earlier last month LDU’s were sent back to their camps for further training after several claims of brutality, torture and use of excessive force in operations to enforce the president’s directives.
The security agencies were majorly deployed to help in enforcing curfew and helping in the distribution of relief food to helpless Ugandans across the country during coronavirus lockdown period.
A number of them were apprehended and tried in the court-martial.
However, Brig Byekwaso has urged the general public to cooperate and support these forces in ensuring that everyone is safe and secure from any threat and all acts of criminality.
So far, there are more than 25,000 LDU recruits in the country.
Most of them were recruited two years ago following the increased wave of crime in various parts of the country.
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