Residents of Buginyanya sub-county in Bulambuli district have raised concerns about the inadequate manpower at Buginyanya police station. The police station, which oversees Masiila, Bufumbo, Buginyanya and Bugimubole sub-counties comprising more than 4000 people, only has three officers.
According to the residents, one of the officers is nursing a broken up while the station in charge has been away for the last two weeks leaving one officer on duty. Residents say that whenever they go to report cases at the station, they don’t find anyone to attend to them.
Milton Wetaka, the Buginyanya sub-county LC 5 councillor, says that in addition to the inadequate manpower, the station operates in a single room at the sub-county headquarters.
Roland Kisa, the Bulambuli district youth Councillor, says the rate of crime rate in the sub-county is too high because people are aware of the inadequate police manpower. He says due to the limited police manpower, residents are forced to arrest suspected criminals and drag them to the police station.
Wambende Musa and Geofrey Wandega, both residents of Buginyanya sub-county, says that only one police officer has been manning the station for the last two weeks because one of them broke his arm while pursuing a suspect.
The two claim that suspects locked up at the police station are forced to feed and sleep in handcuffs.
The Elgon Region Police Spokesperson, Rogers Taitika told URN that he wasn’t aware of the manpower problems at the police station. He promised to verify the claims before making an informed comment.
Bulambuli Resident District Commissioner, Stanely Bayoole has acknowledged the manpower gaps and sorry state of the station. He promised the residents during his monitoring visit to ensure more officers are deployed in the shortest time possible.
