MPs demand explanation over blue Police uniform
MEMBERS of Parliament have asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to explain the new Police uniform similar to that of the army.
By Madinah Tebajukira
MEMBERS of Parliament have asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to explain the new Police uniform similar to that of the army.
The MPs of the internal affairs committee noted that the new blue uniform for the Mobile Police Patrol Unit is similar to that of the army, making it difficult for the public to differentiate between the two agencies.
“Is it a plan by the Government to confuse the public when it comes to the identity of security agencies? How can a civilian differentiate between the army and the Police?†Hassan Kaps Fungaroo (FDC) asked.
The legislators made the demand yesterday during a meeting with state minister Matia Kasaijja and other ministry officials. He was defending his ministry’s policy statement. The committee was chaired by Saleh Kamba.
Milton Muwuma (NRM) noted that the introduction of new uniforms, one after the other without a notice to the public, will increasecrime in the country.
He emphasised that wrong elements will take advantage of the new uniforms, and introduce their own which they will use to terrorise the public.
“Honourable minister, you know where this country has come from. Ugandans are very good at abusing any system. We can’t let internal affairs introduce any uniform they want, criminals will also introduce their own and this will cause havoc,†Muwuma said.
Kasaijja told the committee that the Police have 12 uniforms, but declined to discuss details. He asked for more time to come up with a written statement on the matter.
According to a recent Uganda Gazette, the Uganda Police Force has 16 uniforms, some ceremonial. They include the white uniforms for traffic; the Police’s blue madoa doa (camouflage); the blue/black plain uniforms for anti-riot Police and khaki brown madoa doa for the Anti-Stock Theft Unit.
Kibedi Zake (NRM) accused the officers in the new Police uniforms of engaging in traffic-related duties.
He said over the weekend, on his way to eastern Uganda, he was stopped by one officer in a blue camouflage uniform over a traffic related offence.
Another MP, Hussein Kyanjo, suggested that the committee conducts an independent inquiry into the supply of the uniforms, saying it could be a way of ‘just’ making money.
The legislators said the new uniform had raised concern and tension within the public.
“Over the weekend, there was a problem in my constituency, but when I called the Police, it sent men in that blue uniform. On seeing them, my voters took off to safety. They thought the Police officers were rebels. It is very problematic,†Mutabali Mukose (NRM) said.
Meanwhile, Kasaijja also appealed to the committee to have sh31.564b part of sh85.785b diverted to operationalise the national security information system.
The sh85.785b is meant to pay for the contractual obligations. If sh31.564b is diverted, it will be used to clear rent for Uganda Printing and Publication Corporation where the secretariat of the national identity card project will be housed.
The money, according to a document submitted before the committee, will also be used to purchase land which must be outside central region.
The land would be used to establish a recovery site for the national identity card project and to popularise it.
MEMBERS of Parliament have asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to explain the new Police uniform similar to that of the army.
The MPs of the internal affairs committee noted that the new blue uniform for the Mobile Police Patrol Unit is similar to that of the army, making it difficult for the public to differentiate between the two agencies.
“Is it a plan by the Government to confuse the public when it comes to the identity of security agencies? How can a civilian differentiate between the army and the Police?†Hassan Kaps Fungaroo (FDC) asked.
The legislators made the demand yesterday during a meeting with state minister Matia Kasaijja and other ministry officials. He was defending his ministry’s policy statement. The committee was chaired by Saleh Kamba.
Milton Muwuma (NRM) noted that the introduction of new uniforms, one after the other without a notice to the public, will increasecrime in the country.
He emphasised that wrong elements will take advantage of the new uniforms, and introduce their own which they will use to terrorise the public.
“Honourable minister, you know where this country has come from. Ugandans are very good at abusing any system. We can’t let internal affairs introduce any uniform they want, criminals will also introduce their own and this will cause havoc,†Muwuma said.
Kasaijja told the committee that the Police have 12 uniforms, but declined to discuss details. He asked for more time to come up with a written statement on the matter.
According to a recent Uganda Gazette, the Uganda Police Force has 16 uniforms, some ceremonial. They include the white uniforms for traffic; the Police’s blue madoa doa (camouflage); the blue/black plain uniforms for anti-riot Police and khaki brown madoa doa for the Anti-Stock Theft Unit.
Kibedi Zake (NRM) accused the officers in the new Police uniforms of engaging in traffic-related duties.
He said over the weekend, on his way to eastern Uganda, he was stopped by one officer in a blue camouflage uniform over a traffic related offence.
Another MP, Hussein Kyanjo, suggested that the committee conducts an independent inquiry into the supply of the uniforms, saying it could be a way of ‘just’ making money.
The legislators said the new uniform had raised concern and tension within the public.
“Over the weekend, there was a problem in my constituency, but when I called the Police, it sent men in that blue uniform. On seeing them, my voters took off to safety. They thought the Police officers were rebels. It is very problematic,†Mutabali Mukose (NRM) said.
Meanwhile, Kasaijja also appealed to the committee to have sh31.564b part of sh85.785b diverted to operationalise the national security information system.
The sh85.785b is meant to pay for the contractual obligations. If sh31.564b is diverted, it will be used to clear rent for Uganda Printing and Publication Corporation where the secretariat of the national identity card project will be housed.
The money, according to a document submitted before the committee, will also be used to purchase land which must be outside central region.
The land would be used to establish a recovery site for the national identity card project and to popularise it.