Uganda Police Force has confirmed that recently passed out Local Defence Units (LDUs) are set to replace the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force soldiers who have been a regular sight on the streets of Kampala city and its suburbs.
In September last year, following a number of gruesome murders in Kampala and Wakiso, President Museveni issued a directive to Gen. David Muhoozi, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) to recruit over 24,000 LDUs to strengthen the security in the country working closely with the police.
The first phase of recruitment was purposely trained to keep security in the three districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono.
After four months of training, about 6,000 LDUs were passed out by President Museveni, who urged them to work for their country diligently.
On Monday, Police spokesman Fred Enanga said UPDF soldiers will soon get off the streets and will be replaced immediately with LDUs.
“The LDUs will be under the CDF since they have got military relations with the UPDF. Police will assist in locating where they will be deployed,” Enanga said.
All details such as when and where they will be deployed will be communicated by UPDF, but, Enanga says, police are ready to work with them the moment they are given allocations.
“They will be patrolling with police but this does mean that police is not handling its usual duties as the LDUs will be handling theirs,” added Enanga.
According to Gen Muhoozi, the passed out LDUs will operate under the UPDF structure reserve force. Each member will be paid Shs200,000.
“We will attach these LDU’s with our UPDF commanders and their dress code will be UPDF gazetted uniforms for ease in identity,” said Muhoozi while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on security prior to the start of this project which will cost Shs57bn from consolidated funds.
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