licences of 40 private security companies have been revoked for failing to meet the required standards. The order to revoke the licences for 40 of 202 private security firms was issued by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Martins Okoth-Ochola. The order also directs that vetting of the remaining firms should immediately be conducted.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said the companies whose licences were cancelled had violated all the statutory standards set by the Internal Affairs ministry. and.
“There have been cases of indiscipline, lack of customer care, poor training and poor supervision by members private security organisations. All the PSOs will be vetted and the report sent to the IGP to take action,” Mr Enanga said.
Mr Enanga said the tightening of PSOs regulations is intended to check commission of crimes by private guards.
The shooting of Arnold Ainebyona Mugisha, a businessman in Kampala by a private security guard at Quality Shopping Village, Naalya on Tuesday last week, triggered a debate on the quality of security services provide.
The new arrangement will see police get directly involved not only in supervision of private security organizations, but also training of security guards.
This was confirmed by the state minister for Internal Affairs Hon Obiga Kania in an interview by our reporter over this matter.
“we will even undertake training of these people” said Obiga Kania.
According to police records, there are about 50,000 private guards in the country, and management of private security organizations is under police.