Ugandan police suspends issuance of firearms to private individuals

KAMPALA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan police on Monday said it has suspended the issuance of firearms to private individuals pending an audit of such weapons in the hands of the public.

The audit has already started, deputy police spokesperson Patrick Onyango told Xinhua by telephone.

He said the police has received many applications from members of the public who want to acquire firearms.

"Once the audit is completed we shall review all the applications we have so far received and the owners will be informed appropriately," he said.

Authorities said the move is part of efforts to fight organized crime in the east African country.

Government figures show that by 2016, up to 19,000 guns were being held legally by civilians and private security firms.

Last year, the government proposed that the fees for owning a firearm be raised from less than 300 U.S. dollars to about 1,400 dollars per year. Enditem