Police in renaissance
Oct 25, 2007
THE 45th independence anniversary celebrations marked another giant leap forward in the renaissance of the Uganda Police Force. For the first time since 1962, we participated in the colourful and historic events in full force.
By Judith Nabakoba
THE 45th independence anniversary celebrations marked another giant leap forward in the renaissance of the Uganda Police Force. For the first time since 1962, we participated in the colourful and historic events in full force.
On the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) instructions, we prepared not less than 20 guards. Since 1962 we never ‘showed the flag’ with such numbers. The best we had ever marshalled was 10 guards. The 20 guards demonstrated our readiness and ability to police the country effectively.
More numbers mean efficiency in our campaign to protect lives and property. The massive recruitment carried out in recent years underscore our desire to increase the size of our force. At independence in 1962, our force was well motivated, with high operational standards and professional services. We were considered the best south of the Sahara.
Martial artists
Out of 5,000 recruits under training in Masindi Police Training School selected a special martial arts group that will engage the ‘kanyamas’ in unarmed combat. This group performed drills before the President at Kololo, which must have left the criminals scared. Also to quit the streets will be the hooligans, petty thieves and idlers. The three million people in Kampala will breath a sigh of relief when our martial artists clear the streets of this menace.
Special Police Constables
This is another innovation. It is a reversion to the genesis of the police force in 1906 when it was called the Uganda Police Constabulary. The old SPC was the first auxiliary force to support the regular colonial police in terms of manpower.
SPCs have been deployed in Kampala Extra and central regions to support regular police. They are in the suburbs and at every junction, along with traffic and CID officers to monitor and prevent crime.
The Police Act authorises the District Police Commanders (DPCs) to recruit and train SPCs on behalf of the IGP. SPCs must be residents of the district in which they operate and are only recruited after the local leadership in the area vouches for their character. We have been recruiting SPCs since 1996 and their maroon uniform has always singled them out in that role. Sadly, some politicians have put a spin on the noble venture, as though it is a breach of the law!
Others cast doubt on their proficiency and discipline. Taking the cue, the IGP took the SPCs to Masindi Police Training School to learn weapon handling, human rights and policing procedures. This has shaped them to standards.
Spy cameras
Crime busters have every reason to smile, following the introduction of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. This is another tremendous step in anti-crime technology. It will no longer be easy for criminals to negotiate with corrupt elements and cheat justice because the camera will testify against both parties. Gone are the days when reckless road users went Scot-free.
Mobility
Force transport has also improved. The 21 vehicles and over 100 motorcycles donated by The Netherlands government to ease movement for the officers deployed in northern Uganda resettlement programme is an example. Gone are the days when policemen used bicycles and canoes to pursue and fight criminals armed with pangas and spears.
No more teargas
This year has registered numerous courses for capacity-building in the Force. The courses include vetting and profiling, investigations, crime intelligence, VIP protection, commanders’ courses, anti-terrorism, fire-fighting, public order management, bomb demolition and traffic management.
The most attractive item in public order management is the gradual phasing out of teargas. The police command has correctly identified the teargas remedy as more confrontational than preventive. The worst is that the ‘solution’ is lobbed from a distance, in a canister.
The new approach is close combat which isolates the wrong doer and dialogue. During the Makerere lecturers’ strike, the IGP engaged the student leadership in dialogue and this saved the day.
Inter-agency cooperation
There has been harmonisation and co-ordination of operations among security services: Police, ISO, ESO, UPDF, CMI and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force. Uncoordinated operations of security agencies would cause mayhem.
The writer is the assistant spokesman of Police
THE 45th independence anniversary celebrations marked another giant leap forward in the renaissance of the Uganda Police Force. For the first time since 1962, we participated in the colourful and historic events in full force.
On the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) instructions, we prepared not less than 20 guards. Since 1962 we never ‘showed the flag’ with such numbers. The best we had ever marshalled was 10 guards. The 20 guards demonstrated our readiness and ability to police the country effectively.
More numbers mean efficiency in our campaign to protect lives and property. The massive recruitment carried out in recent years underscore our desire to increase the size of our force. At independence in 1962, our force was well motivated, with high operational standards and professional services. We were considered the best south of the Sahara.
Martial artists
Out of 5,000 recruits under training in Masindi Police Training School selected a special martial arts group that will engage the ‘kanyamas’ in unarmed combat. This group performed drills before the President at Kololo, which must have left the criminals scared. Also to quit the streets will be the hooligans, petty thieves and idlers. The three million people in Kampala will breath a sigh of relief when our martial artists clear the streets of this menace.
Special Police Constables
This is another innovation. It is a reversion to the genesis of the police force in 1906 when it was called the Uganda Police Constabulary. The old SPC was the first auxiliary force to support the regular colonial police in terms of manpower.
SPCs have been deployed in Kampala Extra and central regions to support regular police. They are in the suburbs and at every junction, along with traffic and CID officers to monitor and prevent crime.
The Police Act authorises the District Police Commanders (DPCs) to recruit and train SPCs on behalf of the IGP. SPCs must be residents of the district in which they operate and are only recruited after the local leadership in the area vouches for their character. We have been recruiting SPCs since 1996 and their maroon uniform has always singled them out in that role. Sadly, some politicians have put a spin on the noble venture, as though it is a breach of the law!
Others cast doubt on their proficiency and discipline. Taking the cue, the IGP took the SPCs to Masindi Police Training School to learn weapon handling, human rights and policing procedures. This has shaped them to standards.
Spy cameras
Crime busters have every reason to smile, following the introduction of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. This is another tremendous step in anti-crime technology. It will no longer be easy for criminals to negotiate with corrupt elements and cheat justice because the camera will testify against both parties. Gone are the days when reckless road users went Scot-free.
Mobility
Force transport has also improved. The 21 vehicles and over 100 motorcycles donated by The Netherlands government to ease movement for the officers deployed in northern Uganda resettlement programme is an example. Gone are the days when policemen used bicycles and canoes to pursue and fight criminals armed with pangas and spears.
No more teargas
This year has registered numerous courses for capacity-building in the Force. The courses include vetting and profiling, investigations, crime intelligence, VIP protection, commanders’ courses, anti-terrorism, fire-fighting, public order management, bomb demolition and traffic management.
The most attractive item in public order management is the gradual phasing out of teargas. The police command has correctly identified the teargas remedy as more confrontational than preventive. The worst is that the ‘solution’ is lobbed from a distance, in a canister.
The new approach is close combat which isolates the wrong doer and dialogue. During the Makerere lecturers’ strike, the IGP engaged the student leadership in dialogue and this saved the day.
Inter-agency cooperation
There has been harmonisation and co-ordination of operations among security services: Police, ISO, ESO, UPDF, CMI and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force. Uncoordinated operations of security agencies would cause mayhem.
The writer is the assistant spokesman of Police