Effective today, Uganda Police Force has banned private security guards from moving with guns in Kampala Metropolitan Areas with immediate effect until the end of the month.
Additional Reporting by Nilepost.
The decision was communicated through a letter addressed to all managing directors of private security organisations involved in deployments.
These summits are scheduled to commence today, Monday, January 15 and continue until January 23 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
With an estimated attendance of 1,000 to 1,500 delegates representing at least 100 countries, the ban aims to bolster security measures during these summits.
In the letter signed by AIGP John Nuwagira, the police director for operations , private security organisations were advised to explore alternative options for the storage of firearms.
“You may explore the possibility of keeping guns at areas of deployment where the guards on rotation hand over to the incoming or a collective transportation by purposed vehicles under escort of police,”said Nuwagira.
The ban applies specifically to private security guards deployed in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Nuwagira said its primary objective is to enhance security measures during the government summits.
Guards stationed at hotels within the Kampala Metropolitan Area, particularly those accommodating summit guests, as well as those deployed in shopping malls, have been placed under special emphasis.
Nuwagira urged the guards to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs), maintain a high level of vigilance, and cooperate fully with security agencies.
“Compliance with lawful orders within their respective areas of operation is also expected.”
Nuwagira emphasised the urgency and seriousness of the situation, stressing the importance for private security organizations to treat the matter with utmost significance.
Private security organisations are required to fully comply with the ban on the movement of guards with firearms and take the necessary measures to ensure the successful implementation of the directive.