AIGP Kaweesi was at his best

By Ronnie Ntege

As an important historical figure of our time, the details of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, are well known. Less well appreciated in the way in which those early experiences contributed to making him what he was as a leader and a public servant. His life was scared quite early by tragedy.

It might be difficult to gauge the actual impact Kaweesi made in Police but a rather clear picture which emerged of a number of achievements.

The assassination of Andrew Felix Kaweesi upset a good part of the people. We were all upset and we tend to remain a bit on edge, not because of any inherent contributions he may have made to the solution of Police's bad reputation, but because he was the uncompromising symbol of a hardworking, intelligent,  obedient and humble personnel in the Uganda Police Force.

Those of you who have a sentimental attachment to the unprivileged people in Uganda, I want to tell you this, we get all confused because we don't know who assassinated him. I don't believe the ADF assassinated him. You believe whatever you do want to, I don't believe it.

Afande Kaweesi must be taken for what he was. He was a remarkably gifted and charismatic Police officer whose hospitality and generosity symbolised the heart of a God fearing man. His spirit will rise against people- like, because he is worthy to be remembered and because the perpetuation of the general public which spawned him will not let us forget.

He was tremendously important, beyond even comprehension because he changed the whole image of the Uganda Police not only in Uganda but throughout the whole of East Africa.

Finally, to the men and women in uniform (Police and Army), you will never walk hand in hand with anybody but the common people. You may build a position of strength, a position of power from which you can negotiate with strength but let me tell you, if you do, it is just a moment of mutual hypocrisy in which you are engaged for same purpose best known to yourselves.

The writer is a tour operator