Police in Aswa River Region this week disarmed two of its officers after confirmation that they were mentally ill.
The Regional Police Commander, Damali Nachuha told the media that the two officers whose identities are concealed to avoid stigmatization are reportedly on treatment and are being closely monitored by police physiatrists.
Ms. Nachuha attributed cases of mental breakdown among police officers to stress.
She said most of the officer are overworked since the Uganda Police Force still lacks adequate manpower.
She noted that the duo is also being given lighter assignments with the intention of making them feel loved but not isolated and stigmatized.
She said that if the condition of the two officers deteriorated, they would be sent back to police headquarters in Kampala for specialized treatment.
According to the latest law enforcement statistics by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), police officers report much higher rates of depression, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety than the general population.
In a bid to cope with the effects of stress among security personnel, some have reportedly resorted to drinking alcohol, something the physiatrists warned is causing more damage to the physical and psychological wellbeing of such security officers.
