http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/867622/-/wimc7u/-/

4,300 police firearms marked in Kampala

A police officer marking an AK47 rifle. Photo by Andrew Bagala.

By Christine Katende & Esther Oluka

Posted Wednesday, February 24 2010 at 00:00
In Summary

The engraved gun number and code can be identified by a computerised system even if it is erased, police said.


Kampala

All firearms belonging to the police have been marked to curb the misuse of guns by security officers.

The Director of Police Operations, Mr Francis Rwego, said the exercise will bring to book police officers who have been engaging in armed robberies and hiring out guns to suspected criminals.

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“There have been incidences in the past where some police officers were engaged in criminal acts like robbery. We shall now be able to know where the gun came from,” Mr Rwego said. He made the revelation at a demonstration and launch of the national firearms marking exercise in Kampala yesterday.

At least 4,300 guns have been marked in Kampala within two months and the exercise is expected to be rolled out countrywide late this week.
Mr Rwego said marking the guns will also make it easy to control and manage existing stock of firearms in the country and reduce cross border use of arms.

Cross-border tracking
Marking of small arms and light weapons is ongoing in 11 countries in Easterm and Central Africa. “When these guns are marked, it is easy to trace the users in case they are recovered in another country,” Mr Rwego said.

The engraved gun number and code can be identified by a computerised system even if it is erased, police said.