Prime
Museveni orders installation of CCTV cameras
Some of the CCTV cameras which were installed in Kampala ahead of Chiogm. PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE.
What you need to know:
The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, says the CCTV cameras will be backed by database in the national identity card project.
PARLIAMENT
The Internal Affairs ministry, police and a Chinese firm are fast tracking talks to procure and install a surveillance system on city streets and major routes to curb violate crime, especially terrorism, following orders from the President to have the system in place “very soon.”
The negotiations to procure the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) equipment have, however, dragged on for over a year now.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, the Internal Affairs minister, Gen Aronda Nyakairima, said President Museveni told him that when there were bombings in Boston, US, the first source of information was from the CCTV cameras but for him, he has to “rely on human beings who sometimes don’t see”. “He told me that he want this project done as soon as possible. In the military when an order is read you hit the ground running,” Gen Nyakairima said.
The CCTV cameras are expected to be installed on all the city streets and nine major routes in Kampala Metropolitan Area. Kampala Metropolitan Area covers Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts. Kampala has only a few CCTV cameras that were installed on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) route and some are not functioning.
Internal Affairs officials said yesterday they chose a Chinese firm because its technology is cheaper than other available on the market. The firm was procured through direct bidding and its identity has been concealed by the Internal Affair ministry.
The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, said the CCTV cameras will be backed by database in the national identity card project. The ID project has been bogged down by technicalities for over a decade now.
Parliament mourn Kenyan Victims
Meanwhile Members of Parliament yesterday mourned victims of the terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya that has so far left 62 people confirmed dead. The MPs observed a moment of silent in remembrance of the victims and later used the opportunity to remind government to be on high alert since the terrorists have already sent warnings of impending attacks on Ugandans.
“We are saddened by the terrorist attacks on our neighbours and the Parliamentary Commission is making efforts to enhance security because Parliament is a high value target for terrorists but please cooperate with security. Subject yourselves to checking,” the Speaker, Ms Rebecca Kadaga said.
The government Chief Whip, Ms Justine Kasule Lumumba condemned the terrorists’ action and called on Ugandans to be vigilant.
Gen Nyakairima moved to reassure the country. “Our country is safe and they have wanted to attack us from time to time but due to [our] vigilance, they have not. We are not relaxing and we are stepping up measures to ensure the country is safe.”
