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Police to close two private security firms
Some of the guns used by security companies. The police intends to withdraw riffles used by two companies that face closure. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO
Kampala-The Uganda Police Force has decided to close two private security companies for operating without a licence and failure to pay monthly gun rental fees for an unspecified period.
The police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, confirmed that the police directive to recover all firearms from Detail Protection Services Ltd and Damocles Security Solutions is in the pipeline.
Detail Protection Services Ltd has its head offices on Lubaga Road and Damocles is based in Bugolobi all in Kampala.
“We are trying to trace the file to know how many guns they have in their possession so that we know how many guns are supposed to be recovered,” Mr Enanga said.
Failure to pay taxes
He revealed that Damocles was closed by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) after they failed to pay taxes leaving police with no option but to recover the guns in their possession.
The Managing Director of Detail Protection Services, Mr Julius Byamugisha, denied any arrangements by police to have any of his companies closed.
“I think there was a problem with police accounts. They withdrew their guns from me but continued billing me for the same guns. What I can tell you is we have handled that issue with the IGP and I have been cleared,” He said.
Mr Byamugisha said he was up-to-date with his operating licence and he did not have any outstanding gun rental arrears with the police force.
“If they (police) wanted to close any of my companies, they should have informed me but I have no communication to that effect,” He said.
Sources in police have told Daily Monitor that Mr Byamugisha failed to pay for his gun rentals.
Every month the Uganda Police charges Shs12,000 per month for every gun licensed out to the companies.
