Policing and politics

By Emilian Kayima

The year 2015 is definitely a politically laden year. Politics has already started playing at every stage in almost all activities on this bumpy road to the 2016 general elections in Uganda.

Politicians at all levels are laying down plans, strategizing at every occasion on how to get political mileage from any situation around them.

There is tension and anxiety on the part of political players across the political spectrum.  Police plays a critical role in whatever unfolds here; playing the role of a referee in this political game.

Surprisingly, politics and policing don’t easily mix but they are like Siamese twins that are hard to separate.

There is a symbiotic relationship that exists and cannot simply be wished away. However, suspicion of each other’s intentions is always ripe yet the rules of engagement in each other’s activities are clearly known and grounded in law.

Incumbent political players are largely held hostage by the electorate as well as their campaigning managers because of possibly unfulfilled promises or selfish motives. Some know how to cry loudest when in actual sense they are the aggressors! Fortunately, police rarely get involved at the emotional levels.

We urge our field officers to remain professional, impartial and listen to all but remain firm and fair. They must keep their heads in the coolers lest they get embroiled in political squabbles, albeit unnecessarily.

When political players “fight”, the police must enforce the law; rescue the situation, persuade each of them to engage in fair play void of any criminal intent and acts but we also call some to order by restraining them which may include arresting and arraigning them in courts of laws.

When this happens, we are simply asking them to observe rule of law, keep orderly at all times and allow us do our work as so demanded by the law.

What is playing behind scenes must be appreciated. To successfully run an election campaign, you need a lot of resources and money is that one important resource.

Those who have the money are currently dangling the sweet nice looking carrots for the political players to bite it. This bait may choke you to both political and financial death.

This carrot is loveable, looks sweet and easy to grab. It might be deceptive! Do not simply look for the dotted lines without internalizing the contents and projecting the consequences.

Why should you mortgage your property but write a witnessed sale agreement complete with signed transfer and mutation forms? Do you know what you are getting involved in?

Some go the extra mile of giving vacant possession in a specified period decided by the money lender! How naïve some can be, especially the political novices! Choices have consequences and some are good, some grave.

Well, those who stagger and fall flat allege that their political rivals are responsible for their troubles. When they get arrested by court bailiffs in full view of the cameras, they blame it all on their rivals. Those who love them say “politics is a dirty game”. That is one school of thought. I never subscribe to it.   

Finally, we foresee ourselves interacting with people who will be experiencing excitement, loss, cries, court battles, and warrants of attachments for those who will have lost and refused to vacate the “sold” property.

On the part of security, it is challenging as we have to endure long hours of movements and no sleep, missing the family as we have to ensure that all is well for all the players. Some of this is strenuous and stressful.

The author is a police officer in Uganda