Ugandan police to recruit 2,000 officers for war-torn north

The Ugandan Police Force will recruit 2,000 people to strengthen the security in the war-torn north as the displaced begin to return to their villages, the state-owned daily New Vision reported on Monday.

Police chief Kale Kayihura was quoted as saying that the plan was expected to begin at over 20 police stations and posts in Teso, Lango and Acholi sub-regions.

"We had planned to recruit 4,000 police officers, but we managed to get only 1,600. We need more 2,000 to meet the demand in the north," he said, explaining that the intended recruitment was delayed by lack of funds.

"We had requested 20 billion shillings (10.8 million U.S. dollars) to meet our targets but we were only given 1 billion shillings (0.54 million dollars). We still need 19 billion shillings (10.26 million dollars)," he said. The police management has contacted donors for possible funding.

"If they decline, we shall discuss with the national army and see how best they can help us with more funds," Kayihura said, "We are committed and determined and shall now make northern Uganda a main point of focus."

The north is currently policed by the army which also has the duty to fight remnants of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.

The two decades of LRA rebellion has greatly affected the police structure in the region, leaving only a few stations operating and the number of crimes rising.

Source: Xinhua