Police have started training Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel, who were withdrawn from Kampala Metropolitan area after high incidents of human rights abuse, in riot control tactics.
The LDUs are being trained by Field Force Unit instructors on how to use riot control equipment and tactics that are considered to be less lethal than military weapons they (LDUs) often carry.
Police instructors are now training them on tactical methods of arrest, crowd control and the use of tear gas shell launchers.
Two weeks ago, the Defence Ministry said LDUs were undergoing refresher training at Kakiri military barracks. The training will cover 10 LDU battalions, which is around 8,000 personnel.
After training, the LDU personnel will be redeployed to the city streets during election period.
The violence of some of the LDUs, including shootings, robbery and torture of citizens, has been documented in several parts of the country and has highly been discouraged by the Army and the President.