The Democratic Party (DP) has asked government to immediately disarm the Local Defence Unit (LDU) officers as their negligence with guns has led to the lose of innocent Ugandan lives.
DP Spokesperson Okoler Opio said that LDUs should be disarmed to save lives since they lack training of how to act professionally with guns.
“We strongly believe that, it is dangerous for members of Local Defence Units to hold guns while dealing with civilians, the training they acquired makes such a weapon not only a danger to themselves but also to the community members subsequently, many lives have been lost due to negligent use of guns by LDU,” Okoler said.
Okoler said that guns should be left a monopoly of the UPDF and Police as they have the required training to professionally use firearms.
DP’s call comes just a week after police confirmed that an LDU officer killed former President of the Uganda Journalist Association (UJA), Robert Kagolo as he tried to enter his late brother’s gate.
Still this week, a University student was shot dead by an LDU officer who claimed he was stealing a university computer. On countless occasions, LDUs have been accused of being trigger happy against unarmed civilians.
Reports in security allege that government is planning to completely integrate LDUs in the army.