Nebbi District: Sub-County Policing Model Fails to Bridge Gaps

• Three municipal divisions and two sub-counties in Nebbi District lack police stations under the Sub-County Policing Model.
• Residents rely on nearby facilities or travel long distances to report cases or seek assistance.
• Local leaders attribute delays in responding to crime and security concerns to policing gaps.
• Nebbi District has seen a significant reduction in crime rates over the past two months, attributed to police stations closer to communities.

Despite the delayed establishment of police stations in the three divisions and two sub-counties, crime in the district had reduced significantly over the past two months.

Despite the implementation of the Sub-County Policing Model, three municipal divisions and two sub-counties in Nebbi District remain without police stations. The affected areas are Central, Abindu, and Thatha divisions, as well as Acana and Alala sub-counties. This has resulted in residents relying on nearby police facilities, often requiring long-distance travel to report cases or seek assistance. Local leaders attribute the delays in responding to crime and security concerns to the absence of police stations closer to communities.

The Uganda Police Force's Sub-County Policing Model aims to bring policing services closer to communities by establishing police stations at sub-county, municipal division, and town council levels. However, the model has not been fully implemented in Nebbi District, with some areas relying on existing facilities despite the need for decentralized policing. The establishment of police stations in other parts of the district, such as Akworo, Atego, Parombo, and Nyaravur-Angal Town Council, highlights the disparity in policing services across different administrative units.

Nebbi District Police Commander SSP James Mwesigye attributes a significant reduction in crime rates over the past two months to the establishment of police stations closer to communities. However, mob justice incidents have decreased significantly since he took charge, with only one case recorded in the past two months. The presence of police stations has facilitated community policing efforts and disrupted operations, contributing to improved security outcomes.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note that the delayed establishment of police stations in Nebbi District may create compliance exposure for companies operating in the area, particularly those involved in community-level projects. They should also be aware of the potential for increased crime rates and mob justice incidents in areas without adequate policing services.

Source: Original reporting via Briefly