Uganda, May 1 -- Uganda's Internal Affairs Minister Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafire has lashed out at police who have made it a culture to beat Ugandans during their operations saying it is criminal and all those caught in the act shall be punished.

Otafire says, no one has the mandate to beat a Ugandan, not even criminals.

The minister was on April 30 addressing residents in the villages of Bulika, Katoogo in Wakiso District and Waluga in Nama sub county Mukono District where he was responding to cries of numerous murders.

During the meeting, residents shared their pains including lack of police in their area after the post they had was closed at the directive of the president when thugs attacked police posts for guns in Kampala metropolitan...