The genesis of national awards and the role of RDC's

The head of the Presidential Awards Committee, Businge Amooti, last week made a presentation before the resident district commissioners and their deputies, chief administrative officers and internal security officers about the national honours and awards at the National Leadership Institute, Kyankw

By Businge Amooti, Head Presidential Awards committe

The head of the Presidential Awards Committee, Businge Amooti, last week made a presentation before the resident district commissioners and their deputies, chief administrative officers and internal security officers about the national honours and awards at the National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi. Below is his speech

1.0 Introduction

Every country has a system of recognising and rewarding outstanding acts and achievements of its citizens. Such recognition puts on record public appreciation for the contribution of persons who have distinguished themselves in service to the nation.

Awards in the form of Orders, Medals and Decorations exist almost everywhere is society. Governments, corporate organisations and non-government organisations all give awards in the civil and military sectors, in academia, culture, media, religion, sports, among others.

Prominent examples of awards are the Academy awards (Oscars), Emmy awards, Grammy awards, Nobel prize awards, Olympic champion awards, International Football Association awards.

The corporate sector also hands out awards like the ‘employee of the year’ or ‘sales person of the month’.

2.0 Importance of the awards

1. They are instruments for inspiring citizens to strive for excellence;

2. They are a motivation to contribute more actively towards promoting the nations value systems (values represent our highest priorities and deeply held driving forces);

3. They are an indication of the kind of behaviour desired above and beyond the normal.

4. Instill a sense of patriotism and nationalism in society.

3.0 History of awards

The earliest record is the National Order of the Legion of Honour, a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is the highest decoration in France. Established in 1804, it was his wish to commend civilians and soldiers.

4.0 History of awards in Uganda

According to the London Gazette: no. 42800. P.7753.30 August 1962. Retrieved August 29, 2010, awards and honours in Uganda dates back to 1962 when the Uganda Independence Medal was authorised by Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the granting of Independence and it was to give recognition to individuals of Armed Forces, Police Force and Local Government who had rendered public service.

The National Honours and Awards Act No. 14 was enacted in 2001 and accented to by the President in 2005. Its commencement date was on August 1, 2007.

The Act is to provide for the creation of the Presidential Awards Committee (PAC), recognition and conferment of titles of honour, decoration, medals, awards and orders, the establishment of the Chancery for the custody of awards and to provide for other related matters.

The Act provides for a Presidential Awards Committee, consisting of the chairperson and eight committee members. It also provides for a chancery as the Permanent Custodian of Honours, Awards, and Medals. The chancery is headed by a chancellor who is the secretary to the chancery and whose terms and conditions are equal to that of a permanent secretary.

The mandate of the Presidential Awards Committee (PAC) is to advise the president in respect of the persons upon whom titles of honor may be conferred and generally in respect of the president’s performance of his functions in Section 5 of the National Honours and Awards Act, 2001.

The chancery from time to time receives names from various ministries, departments, agencies and individuals with a write up giving reasons to justify the proposed award to the individual(s). The chancery then submits the names to the PAC for discussion, selection and recommendation to the President. The medalists are approved solely by the President either acting on his own initiative or based on recommendations made to him. The criteria followed in determining the proposed recipients for Awards in detailed in the Act and Regulations.

5.0 Achievemnts

1. Since its inception in October 2008, the Presidential Awards Committee holds six meetings every financial year to discuss and approve proposed names of achievers for the various categories of medals specified for award at the different functions.

2. Six national/ public functions have been selected at which award of medals (Investiture Ceremonies) are performed by the President. These are, January 25, Victory Day, February 6, Tarehe Sita (Army Day), March 8, Women’s Day, May 1, Labour Day, June 9, Heroes Day, and October 9, Independence Day.

3. Fourteen thousand two hundred and sixty three (14,263) medals have since been issued by the Chancery as follows:

No.	VENUE	EVENT	TYPE OF MEDAL	MEDAL NOs	YEAR
1.	Hoima	Heroes day	Luwero	108	2009
			Nalubaale	15
			Damu	68
2.	Kololo	Independence	Luwero	108	2009
			Naluubale	163
3.	Mbale	Victory Day	Kagera	100	2010
			Nalubaale	47
4.	Iganga	Terehe Sita	Luwero	162	2010
5.	Luwero	Heroes Day	Luwero	648	2010
			Nalubaale	107
6.	Kololo	Independence	National Independence	48	2010
7.	Masaka	Victory Day	Nalubaale	410	2011
			Kagera	35
			Luwero	97
8.	Soroti	Terehe Sita	Luwero	647	2011
			Damu	37
			Kagera	17
			Nalubaale	17
9.	Kololo	Women’s Day	Luwero	65	2011
			Crested Crane	1
10.	Entebbe	Labour Day	Nile	3	2011
			Crested Crane	5
11.	Lwengo	Heroes Day	Kagera	1	2011
			Damu	641
			Luwero	1163
12.	Lira	Independence Day	Independence	28	2011
			Damu	2
			Luwero	36
13.	Kapchorwa	Victory Day	Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa	4	2012
			Distinguished Order of the Nile	1
			Kagera	1
			Damu	1
			Luwero	3
			Nalubaale	94
14.	Kasese	Tarehe Sita	Damu	198	2012
			Nalubaale	108
			Luwero	387
15.	Nebbi	Womens Day	Nalubaale	35	2012
			Luwero	33
			Damu	1
16.	Gulu	Labour Day	Distinguished Order of Crested Crane	4	2012
			Distinguished Order of Nile	19
17.	Mbarara	Heroes Day	Damu	29	2012
			Nalubaale	105
			Kagera	48
			Luwero	80
		Independence Day	Golden Jubilee	5000

18.	Kasese	Victory Day	Golden Jubilee	0	2013
			Nalubaale	19

19.	Arua	Tarehe Sita	Golden Jubilee	23	2013
			Nalubaale	141
			Luwero	129

20.	Nakasongola	Women’s Day	Golden Jubilee	34	2013

21.	Tororo	Labour Day	Golden Jubilee	65	2013
			Kagera	3

22.	Nakaseke	Heroes Day	Golden Jubilee	108	2013
			Nalubaale	117
			Luwero	237
			Kagera	20

23.	Rukungiri	Independence Day	Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa	1	2013
			Golden Jubilee	34
			Nalubaale	107

24.	Mayuge	Victory Day	Golden Jubilee	1	2014
			Nalubaale	83

25.	Buhweju	Tarehe Sita	Golden Jubilee	114	2014
			Nalubaale	89
			Luwero	34

26.	Kumi	Women’s Day	Golden Jubilee	251
			Nalubaale	16

26.	Ntungamo	Labour Day	Golden Jubilee	79	2014
			Nalubaale	14

27.	Bukalamuli Mityana District	Heroes Day	Golden Jubilee	121	2014
			Luwero	135
			Nalubaale	368

28.	Kololo	100 Years of service for the Uganda Police	The Order of the Commander-In-Chief	1	2014
			Exemplary service order- First class	5
			Exemplary service order- Second class	5
			Centenary medal	20

29	Kololo	Independence Day	Golden Jubilee	20	2014
30	Soroti	Victory Day	Golden Jubilee	187	2015
			Nalubaale	133
			Exemplary service order- First class	10
			Exemplary service order- Second class	6
			Gallantry order star	5
			Long service with good conduct	12
			National sacrifice Medal	7
			Centenary medal	15
			Honorary service medal	5

31	Moroto	Tarehe Sita	Golden Jubilee	147	2015
			Luwero Medal	23
			Exemplary service order- First class	2
			Exemplary service order- Second class	9
			Distinguished service medal	5
			Long service with good conduct- 30 years	10
			Centenary medal	6
			Honorary service medal	5

32	Kabale	Women’s Day	Golden Jubilee	344	2015
			Luwero Medal	6
			Nalubaale	11

(The Description of the Medals is attached as Annex A)

4. Formulation of the National Honours and Awards Regulations 2014 No. 46 was finalised. This will guide implementation of the National Honours and Awards Act, 2001 to enable a broader category of civilians to qualify for the national honors and awards.

The regulations also cover areas of;

a. The nomination procedure

b. The medal, honour and how it must be used and when.

c. The certificate

d. The privileges

e. General provisions like publication in the gazette, posthumous awards, deprivation of honours, offences and penalties

5. The National Honours and Awards Act was amended in September, 2014 to include 11 titles of honour for the Uganda Police.

6. Dissemination of the National Honors and Awards laws and guidelines has been done to all MDAs and districts. This is expected to expand and update the database of the deserving achievers for award of medals.

6.0 Plans of the Chancery

1. A proposal is being worked on to enable medalists to receive some courtesies and benefits in addition to the prestige associated with the medal; that is dependent on availability of funds.

2. The chancery is also working towards the establishment of a Hall of Fame to inspire Ugandans, especially the youth to be patriotic and aspire for excellence and distinction. This follows the Cabinet decision in 2010 in which the Presidential Awards Committee/Chancery was tasked to develop a concept that would lead to the establishment of a National Hall of Fame in Uganda.

7.0 Role of RDCs

1. Inform and sensitise the populace about the National Honours and Awards Act, 2001.

2. Identify and recommend exemplary persons in your districts for recognition.

3. Be patriotism champions that will qualify for the award and inspire others to qualify for the awards.

4. Assign your district internal security officers to vet the nominated citizens (in your district) who have made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country so that they can be recognised in future investiture ceremonies. The National Honours and Awards Act 2001 and the National Honours and Awards Regulations, 2014 should be followed during this exercise.

8.0 Conclusion

Nationalism and Patriotism are pre-requisites for National Development and Success. The National Honours and Awards Act needs to be strengthened and promoted in order to realize our NDP Objectives and Vision of a Transformed Ugandan society by 2040.

The types of medals awarded

There are 26 types of medals defined by the National Honours and Awards Act, 2001 for award. Six under the category of civilian medals and nine under the category of military medals and 11 under the category of Police medals as follows:

a) Civilian medals

S/N	TYPE OF MEDAL	DESCRIPTION AND INCIDENTS
1	Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa	This is the Highest honour awarded to Heads of State and Heads of Government.
2	Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa	This is awarded to Heads of State’s spouses, Vice Presidents and Crown Princes and Princesses.
3	Distinguished Order of the Nile	This is awarded to people who have distinguished themselves in productive, research, economic, social and cultural enterprises.
4	Distinguished Order of the Crested Crane	This is awarded to people who have distinguished themselves in Leadership and service, both public and private.
5	National Independence Medal	This is awarded to those who have championed and contributed significantly to the struggle for independence and those who have continued to protect the independence of Uganda.
6	Nalubaale Medal	This is awarded to all who have contributed to the political development of Uganda either through armed struggle or civil disobedience and otherwise right from colonial times to date.

b) Military medals

S/N	TYPE OF MEDAL	DESCRIPTION AND INCIDENTS
1	Order of the Katonga	This is the Highest and most rarely awarded honour for rewarding individual extraordinary instances of heroism in the army
2	Kabalega Star	This is the second highest honour and it is awarded for conspicuous Gallantry that does not justify the award of the Order of the Katonga but bordering with the qualification for the award of the Order of Katonga.
3	Rwenzori Star	This is the third highest honour awarded for distinguished or exemplary military service which includes exceptionally meritorious service or great responsibility in military service.
4	Masaba Star	This is the fourth highest honour and is awarded under the same circumstances as the Kabalega medal but where the gallantry is not as conspicuous as in the Kabalega medal.
5	Damu Medal	This is awarded to any member of the military who was or is wounded in action
6	Luwero Triangle Medal	This is awarded to any officer, man or woman who joined armed struggles against dictatorships in Uganda, and to civilians who operated closely with the armed freedom fighters during struggles against dictatorship.
7	Kagera Medal	This is awarded to any officer, man or woman, national on foreign, who participated in fighting dictatorship between 1971 and 1979.
8	Order of Lukaya	This is awarded under the same circumstances described in the award of the Kagera medal but with emphasis on the 1979 battle of Lukaya.
9	Kyoga Medal	This is awarded to officers, men, and women who have gallantly fought and defeated insurgencies in different parts of Uganda.

c) Police medals

S/N	TYPE OF MEDAL	DESCRIPTION AND INCIDENTS
1	The Order of the Commander-In-Chief	This is the Highest honour to be awarded to Heads of State and Heads of Governments. This order shall be awarded for visionary leadership, championing peace and security in the country and in the East African region, and causing economic growth and transformation, transforming the police in terms of welfare, human resource growth and logistics.
2	Exemplary service order- First class	This order shall be awarded to an Inspector General of Police or former Inspector General of Police for exemplary leadership, community participation, pacification of the country, transforming the image of the Uganda Police Force and support rendered to Uganda Police Force in its mission to transform.
3	Exemplary service order- Second class	This order shall be awarded to a Deputy Inspector General of Police, a former Deputy Inspector General of Police, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, a former Assistant Inspector General of Police and other police officers of a similar rank. This order shall be awarded for exemplary service during the course and performance of duty while in office.
4	Gallantry order star	This medal shall be awarded to police officers who have distinguished themselves through acts of gallantry demonstrated in operations, community policing, intelligence gathering and bravery.
5	Distinguished service medal	This medal shall be awarded to police officers who have upheld ethical value and conduct, integrity, initiative and total commitment with outstanding performance but not necessarily bravery. This medal shall be awarded for acts of humility, kindness, humanitarian attitude and faithfulness.
6	Meritorious service medal	This medal shall be awarded to police officers for meritorious service particularly in operations where initiative and meritorious behavior has made vital difference to the success of the operations. The award shall be awarded for acts of endurance and dedication.
7	Special service medal	This medal shall be awarded to police officers of the reserve force and special police constables who have distinguished themselves during their period of engagement.
8	Personal sacrifice medal	This medal shall be awarded to officers who have been wounded or killed in the line of duty and may be awarded post-humously.
9	Long service with good conduct	This medal shall be awarded to officers with long service years with a clean and uninterrupted service to the Force. The order will be classified in three classes as follows: (a) Ten years’ service- bronze (b) Twenty years’ service- silver (c) Thirty years’ service- gold
10	Centenary medal	This order shall be awarded to police officers and civilians of the Uganda Police Force in commemoration of the Centenary Plus Celebration.
11	Honorary service medal	This medal shall be awarded to civilians who have shown unwavering support to the Uganda Police Force programmes in respect of community policing, donations including land, buildings, other logistics and thus have made police operations easier and improved the welfare of officers.

The genesis of national awards and the role of RDC’s

By BUSINGE AMOOTI, Head Presidential Awards committee