Museveni awarded highest Police honour

By Vision Reporter

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni received an award by the Uganda Police Forces “The Order of the Commander-in-Chief Award”.

The award, that is the first ever and the highest honour by the Police Force was bestowed upon President Museveni in recognition of his visionary leadership, championing peace and security in the country and East African region, causing economic growth and transformation as well as transforming the Police. 

The President received the award during the colorful Uganda Police Centenary celebrations held today at Kololo ceremonial grounds in Kampala.

Over 1,450 recipients will at later functions be decorated with various medals of different categories in recognition of their contribution in the building of the Uganda Police Force.  

Those who received Exemplary Service Order First Class medal today include the Minister of Internal Affairs, General Aronda Nyakairima, and the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Ambassador James Baba, the Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura, former Inspector General of Police John Cossy Odomel and the Late Erinayo Oryema who was the First African Inspector of Police. 

At the same celebrations General Museveni launched the new era of Community Policing by handing over instruments of the exercise to the Police leadership. 

The celebrations were characterized by a spectacular parade by different Directorates of the Police Force who showcased their modern equipment capable of effectively combating crime as well as maintain law and order.

The parade was also attended by crime preventers from all districts of Uganda and various organizations in society.

General Museveni, who congratulated the Police upon reaching 108 years, commended the leadership of the Force for transforming the colonial Police into a pro-people Police and for understanding Community Policing.

He told thousands of people who turned up from all districts of the country for the Kololo function that General Kale Kayihura, has transformed the same colonial force that his father, the late John Komuluyange Kalekezi, fought against. 

He called on Police personnel to be upright citing the late Wafula Owor Jackson who declined to sign a forged traffic document taken to him by Amin’s agents and was later killed.

He said Mr. Wafula, whose son is a Prisons Officer and received an Exemplary Service Order 2nd Class Award on his behalf, died an honorable death and will be remembered for ever because of being steadfast.

General Museveni also congratulated the Uganda Police for being a productive force that has started a garments factory. He pledged to continue building the strength of the Uganda Police, improve their welfare which, he said, could best be done through collective solutions.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, General Aronda Nyakairima, assured the nation that the Uganda Police Force today has the capacity to combat crime.

The Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura, said he was proud of the overwhelming support, interest and enthusiasm of the people of Uganda especially the youth, in the building of the Force and Community Policing. He added that the Police have today attracted the biggest number of women who are registered in the Force and are taking over leadership positions because of their exemplary performance.

The Uganda Police Centenary Celebrations were attended by the Vice-President, Mr. Edward Ssekandi, the new Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, former Police Chiefs and Senior Government and Security Officials.

Others included Police Chiefs from neighboring countries and beyond as well as delegations from various International Organizations and African countries.