Decked in army camouflage and talking tough, Democratic Party President Norbert Mao has threatened to mobilise Gulu residents to carry out night patrols against persistent and increasing attacks against residents.
”People are being hit left, right and centre; it is no longer a coincidence. It is a way of life. If by next weekend there is no serious improvement, I will issue a call for self defence,” Mao said at a Thursday press conference at the Northern Uganda Media Club. He was flanked by DP Secretary General Dr Gerald Siranda
”I am a citizen frustrated by the incompetence of the police who have failed to protect ordinary people.”
Mao said his group will be called ” Citizens Patrol For Self Defence.”
The DP leader also took a swipe at police boss Gen Kale Kayihura who is in Gulu to address the security situation ”I saw the drama he came with; he[Kayihura] was travelling with two trucks of heavily armed police men. And he slept at Bomah Hotel protected by many soldiers yet that very night ordinary people were attacked by the iron bar hit men.”
On Saturday, thugs commonly known as ”Iron Bar Hitmen” struck to death the deputy Gulu town clerk, John Oola. It is one of the dozen cases of unsuspecting citizens being hit my thugs in recent times.
Asked why he was dressed in military uniform while at the same time bashing the police and the security services for what he termed failure to protect citizens, Mao retorted: ” This is a honourable uniform. When thugs dress like the Pope, do they become the Pope?”
The DP leader also for fast tracking of the election of the LC1 office bearers to address crime in the country arguing that the grassroots leaders know people in their communities.
