M7 Orders Fresh Forensic Audit on Police Guns

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief (CIC), has directed the Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, to carry out a fresh forensic audit on all police firearms across the country, Spyreports has exclusively established.

According to highly placed security sources, the President gave the order shortly after chairing a high-command meeting on Monday at State House Entebbe. “After the high command, the President also chaired another Ministry of Security meeting attended by the CDF, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, his deputy Sam Okiding, CLF Gen. Muhanga Kayanja, SFC Boss Gen. Mugisha, and a few divisional commanders,” a security source said, adding that the meeting aimed to address the increasing insecurity in the country.

An insider revealed that the President raised concerns about gun-related crimes, noting that police and UPDF firearms are frequently involved in robberies and murders. “How do police and UPDF guns end up in robberies and murders? How do these robbers access them, and why are the culprits not arrested?” a source quoted the President as asking his security chiefs.

“There have been no complaints of armory break-ins by either the police or the army, suggesting that there may be coordination between security personnel and robbers,” the President said, adding that this practice must stop immediately.

Another source indicated that the President was informed that the police recently procured over 20,000 classified machine guns, many of which had yet to be fingerprinted.

“Some police guns are still unmarked, and we suspect these could be the ones used in robberies,” a general reportedly told the President.

Following this briefing, the President ordered the IGP to conduct a fresh forensic audit on all police firearms. He also instructed the CDF to carry out a similar audit on UPDF guns.

However, a source within the Uganda Police clarified that all police firearms have previously undergone forensic auditing, except for the newly procured guns. “All our firearms went through forensic audits, which is why we can easily determine whether a gun used in a robbery or murder belongs to the police,” a senior police officer said.

The source added that the newly procured guns are intended for hire to private security companies and individuals. “The forensic audit on the new guns is currently ongoing, and once it is completed, they will be distributed to approved companies and individuals,” the officer explained, noting that applications for private firearms are received daily.