Re-Organise the police for better performance

The current state of affairs with regard to the Uganda Police Force can best be understood by tracing the trajectory of its revolution. Uganda's independence Constitution of 1962 reaffirmed the British policy of allowing the Ugandan kingdoms to maintain their local police forces, which were normally accountable to the Uganda's Inspector General of Police (IGP). However, with the abolishment of the federal states, these two local forces were emerged into the Uganda Police Force that became local constable.

When the National Resistance Army seized power in 1986, they inherited a force of 8,000 people and under further screening of the force, it was left with only 3,000 qualified officers and the Government augmented this force by contracting 2,000 retired Police officers. The Authority announced plans to upgrade Police training and equipment, increase the force personnel, revive a defunct marine unit to combat smuggling on Uganda's lakes, improve the Police Air wing's reconnaissance capability by acquiring more aircrafts and form new paramilitary unit to bolster internal security.

As peace was secured, the local government levels of the local councils' structures were given responsibility among other things for law and order, law enforcement, gathering criminal data, provision of psycho - social care of victims of crime, establishment of bye laws that reflected the local needs and the creation of local councils. Community policing was further reinforced through education in law and on criminal prevention through regular spots on radio station, newspapers and schools. Community liaison officers were created at every Police station and they were instrumental in imitating Police dialogues with the community over security issues and neighborhoods watch schemes and crime prevention panels. It is evident that local councils then had minimal costs and training requirements and had outstanding ordering effect and acted as first line of protection against disorder and crime.

Today, Uganda is faced with major deficiencies that still need to be addressed to in order for the Police to be accountable as the country transits through a critical stage in its democratisation process, with an increasingly heated political atmosphere.

There is need to promote public debate about values and priorities in public security policies, as well as reinforcing civilian oversight over the Police. The legislative and institutional frameworks need to be reviewed and to allow the stakeholders concerned to participate in the building up of a Police that abides by the Constitution and democratic principles.

The writer works with the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)