Yes we can trust Uganda’s Police force
ON Tuesday August 11, The New Vision, carried two different stories. In one of the stories, the Police was telling us the number of armed criminals had reduced with available facts. In the other story, there was a scathing attack on the Police by Allan M
By Pamela Ankunda
ON Tuesday August 11, The New Vision, carried two different stories. In one of the stories, the Police was telling us the number of armed criminals had reduced with available facts. In the other story, there was a scathing attack on the Police by Allan Mugisha.
Mugisha asked whether Ugandans could trust their Police and cites the fact that they brandish guns and the they easily take bribes. Mugisha ignores the simple fact that we are all cut out of the same cloth. We only contribute to the bad image that the Police suffer by bribing them. If they are a bad lot because they take bribes, we are no better citizens in giving them bribes.
While we acknowledge the transformation of the army and demystification of the gun, we must mention, and proudly so, the Police’s transformation under serving military officers — Generals Katumba Wamala and Kale Kayihura. It is under these two officers that the Police Force has acted more responsibly, doing community policing, and creation of different units like the Rapid Response Unit, Violent Crime Crack Unit, among others.
Entrants into the force know about the challenges that they are bound to face before they enroll, but still sign up, due to the commitment to serve their country amidst these constraints. These are the real patriots.
They are paid little, but ungrudgingly wake up late in the night and work ghostly hours to serve the same people that accuse them of thievery during the day. This is not to excuse the Police’s underhand dealings, but Mugisha would know better that yes, we can trust the Police and, yes, we do.
The church, an embodiment of sanity, righteousness and purity is the single most scandal-ridden entity in the country. Burdened with reports of homosexuality, illegal land dealings, false pretense and witchcraft, it is they that have failed this country by abrogating the very moral fabric they are supposed to nurture. In short, all have fallen short of the glory.
Politicians themselves have made it a habit to provoke the Police, aiming at achieving political gains and sympathy. True, the Police have at times, acted overzealously and brutalised the citizenry and there have been Parliamentary probes to investigate these incidences.
Nobody has commended their willingness to be subjected to reviews yet the judiciary, the fountain of justice, is up in arms over suggestions that its decisions be appraised.
The Police Force suffers genuine problems like under-staffing, poor pay, dilapidated housing, technical and mechanical shortages, factors that have contributed to the current malaise going on within the institution, but as the IGP usually says, when you join the force, be ready to sacrifice. While the administration apprehends those that have decided to make manoeuvres around the laws, we should decide on the necessary reforms to be taken in order to improve their service.
Providing information, cooperating, being vigilant and civil education, especially on our rights, are some of the aspects that will help the country to have a better police. Suggestions that they be disbanded are careless, unless the entire society is disbanded.
Obviously, the Police force itself needs self-examination especially in its methods of operation, investigation, independence and impartiality. The police should also re-examine their handling of offenders and suspects and other duties that accrue from the profession.
Otherwise, they will continue to be seen as pawns in political games and in the hands of the rich who can afford to buy justice. Either way, for as long as society exists, we will still need, the Police to serve us.
ON Tuesday August 11, The New Vision, carried two different stories. In one of the stories, the Police was telling us the number of armed criminals had reduced with available facts. In the other story, there was a scathing attack on the Police by Allan Mugisha.
Mugisha asked whether Ugandans could trust their Police and cites the fact that they brandish guns and the they easily take bribes. Mugisha ignores the simple fact that we are all cut out of the same cloth. We only contribute to the bad image that the Police suffer by bribing them. If they are a bad lot because they take bribes, we are no better citizens in giving them bribes.
While we acknowledge the transformation of the army and demystification of the gun, we must mention, and proudly so, the Police’s transformation under serving military officers — Generals Katumba Wamala and Kale Kayihura. It is under these two officers that the Police Force has acted more responsibly, doing community policing, and creation of different units like the Rapid Response Unit, Violent Crime Crack Unit, among others.
Entrants into the force know about the challenges that they are bound to face before they enroll, but still sign up, due to the commitment to serve their country amidst these constraints. These are the real patriots.
They are paid little, but ungrudgingly wake up late in the night and work ghostly hours to serve the same people that accuse them of thievery during the day. This is not to excuse the Police’s underhand dealings, but Mugisha would know better that yes, we can trust the Police and, yes, we do.
The church, an embodiment of sanity, righteousness and purity is the single most scandal-ridden entity in the country. Burdened with reports of homosexuality, illegal land dealings, false pretense and witchcraft, it is they that have failed this country by abrogating the very moral fabric they are supposed to nurture. In short, all have fallen short of the glory.
Politicians themselves have made it a habit to provoke the Police, aiming at achieving political gains and sympathy. True, the Police have at times, acted overzealously and brutalised the citizenry and there have been Parliamentary probes to investigate these incidences.
Nobody has commended their willingness to be subjected to reviews yet the judiciary, the fountain of justice, is up in arms over suggestions that its decisions be appraised.
The Police Force suffers genuine problems like under-staffing, poor pay, dilapidated housing, technical and mechanical shortages, factors that have contributed to the current malaise going on within the institution, but as the IGP usually says, when you join the force, be ready to sacrifice. While the administration apprehends those that have decided to make manoeuvres around the laws, we should decide on the necessary reforms to be taken in order to improve their service.
Providing information, cooperating, being vigilant and civil education, especially on our rights, are some of the aspects that will help the country to have a better police. Suggestions that they be disbanded are careless, unless the entire society is disbanded.
Obviously, the Police force itself needs self-examination especially in its methods of operation, investigation, independence and impartiality. The police should also re-examine their handling of offenders and suspects and other duties that accrue from the profession.
Otherwise, they will continue to be seen as pawns in political games and in the hands of the rich who can afford to buy justice. Either way, for as long as society exists, we will still need, the Police to serve us.