Kasese, Uganda – Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba has urged officers in the Rwenzori East region to adopt area policing strategies to bolster crime-fighting and security efforts, emphasizing vigilance and teamwork for operational success.

During a working visit to Kasese District, Byakagaba commended the police force for their “swift and coordinated response” to the November 1 attacks on Kasese Barracks, where assailants targeted the military installation in a brazen assault that left several casualties and heightened regional tensions. The commendation underscores ongoing efforts to restore stability in the volatile western Uganda area, long plagued by ethnic conflicts and militia threats linked to the Rwenzururu Kingdom disputes.

Byakagaba paid a courtesy call to Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu officials, led by Prime Minister Benson Kule Baritazale, calling for active collaboration. He urged the cultural leaders to share timely intelligence and support initiatives like the Subcounty Policing Model, stating that such partnerships are essential for “a more effective security strategy and improved safety in the region.”

The IGP also held dialogues with security stakeholders and religious leaders, soliciting their insights to craft sustainable solutions to local challenges, including communal violence and border insecurities. These engagements signal a shift toward inclusive policing, integrating traditional authorities to address root causes like land disputes and youth radicalization.

Byakagaba’s visit, timed weeks after the barracks incident, reflects national priorities under President Museveni’s administration to de-escalate Rwenzori tensions through community-led security reforms.