Tribute to a fallen colleague

Mar 28, 2017

But two days after the ides of March, at about 09:30am on March 17, 2017 to be exact, our own AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his erstwhile body guard CPL Erau Kenneth and driver PC Wambewo (may their souls rest in peace) met their demise at the hands not of Brutus but a pack of assassins who brutally and cruelly brought their lives to an abrupt end.

By SSP Muzafaru Zirabamuzale

The ides of March came to pass and Julius Ceaser did not survive the betrayal of Marcus Brutus his great friend and noblest Roman of them all. He had taken lightly a warning from a woman who doubled as his supporter and soothsayer. Not that as a leader one should believe in such stuff but somehow ignoring it cost Julius Ceaser his life.  For starters, the ides of March in Shakespeare's Julius Ceaser meant 15th of March.

But two days after the ides of March, at about 09:30am on March 17, 2017 to be exact, our own AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his erstwhile body guard CPL Erau Kenneth and driver PC Wambewo (may their souls rest in peace) met their demise at the hands not of Brutus but a pack of assassins who brutally and cruelly brought their lives to an abrupt end. We know who betrayed Julius Ceaser to the conspirators - Brutus, but we may probably never know who betrayed AIGP Kaweesi, if at all he was betrayed.

His assassination brought to an end an illustrious career of a young, energetic, intelligent, workaholic, committed, patriotic, disciplined, devoted and focused senior police officer whose penchant for results had seen him rise through the Police ranks faster than he expected. At 43 years of age and just 16 of service, Kaweesi was the best of his generation and only the Almighty new what he was destined for before he met his shocking and untimely death. Like the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura, remarked while eulogising him, Kaweesi was the brightest shining star of his times.

For all intents and purposes, the assassins got it wrong. Kaweesi's brutal and cruel murder was a manifestation of hatred in its worst form as well as an expression of man's inhumanity to man. But rather than cause fear and despair, it strengthened our resolve to serve and propagate that which he stood and died for. The hundreds of thousands of mourners who thronged Kitwekyanyovu village in Kyazanga to give him a befitting send- off bore testimony to the good works of the fallen Kaweesi. In the eyes of God, the entire country and beyond except the assassins and the plotters of his death, absolved him of any wrongdoing.

Kaweesi was a man of the people, loved by all across the political, religious social and cultural divide. He was by definition a perfectionist, good listener, problem solver and promoter of good virtues both in the Institution that he relentlessly served and in society as a whole. Above all, he was a man of God, always there for his faith and throwing his weight behind any activities meant to build and strengthen his religion. Even as a devote catholic, Kaweesi was serving on the Nakasero Mosque Committee.

The fallen former Director of Human Resource Development and Police Public Relations Officer was the face of professionalism in the Police and a perfect symbol of progressive young Turks. He was smart both in mind and body. We will miss your smle.

In my career as a Police officer, I have not seen an amiable, dedicated and disciplined body guard like the late CPL Kenneth Erau. On top of his professional training, he had acquired attributes that made him the darling of those that came in contact with him. He was jolly, responsible, committed, smart and a permanent presence behind his boss.

Fellow countrymen, we (the Police) do a difficult job securing your lives and property as well as enforcing law and order. Automatically, this does not go well with those who thrive from doing wrong (criminals). We are your keepers, sleeping out in the cold while you enjoy the warmth and comfort of your blankets. Ones that you will quickly call when there is mayhem. It is a duty for which we took an oath and one that we shall not abdicate despite the intentions of some thugs who wish to cause fear among us by their brutal actions. To you all I say "we deserve better". Rest in peace Kaweesi, Erau and Wambewo. 

The writer is a senior police officer and former personal assistant to AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi (RIP)

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});