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By Marx O.
I wish to thank RK for informing Ugandans and availing them a platform for information sharing. I commend the Observer newspaper and RK for this uphill task despite the suffocation of the media in Uganda.
As a young lawyer, I must confess that Gen. Kale is a disappointment to our profession. History will have him as a murderer of one the great pillars of preserving law and order. What a shame!
My father a retired soldier is still wondering as to where our country is heading. He says even in the Amin era, the police chiefs had some shame that would prevent them from certain acts. The police had no military personnel to do police business. The soldiers respected the police and rarely could you hear Generals involved in grabbing people's land, houses and above engaging in shameless corrupt practices. The lame excuse that the army was deployed to clean police of corruption and inefficiency does not hold. If anything UPDF is more corrupt and is the most inefficient of inefficient forces. How many billions of shillings have been swindled by UPDF through corruption?
After reading the Observer article, I was instigated to verify some facts. Truly fellow Ugandans, no person should deceive you the deployment of the army into police is to serve to you any better, instead it is a disaster! I have interviewed a cross section of military, police personnel and members of the public. They all concurred that Kayihura is the worst police chief since the creation of the one hundred year old institution. One army officer said his transfer to police was a blessing to some senior UPDF officers. He is best known for pulling his colleagues down through treachery. He said Kayihura is the direct opposite of his brother in Rwanda Army. Then we need to ponder on Hon. Betty Kamya's question of patriotism.
At this pace we need to ask ourselves which way Uganda Police? Cry the beloved country Uganda.
I almost shed tears when one police woman said that Captain Bwete is among the thugs now hiding in police uniform that raided Seeta Police and killed two policemen in 1996. It is shocking that the same semi-illiterate Bwete is sent to 'improve' the police. General Kayihura should tell the world what are the qualifications and special training does his Aide Bwete possess?
Another officer said that Lt. Karugaba was a notorious robber and jail bird in western Uganda. True Major Kagoro is a lawyer, what special police training does he possess greater than Ochola or other lawyers in police? I expect the parliamentary committee that is probing police to look at the qualifications and interview these military experts.
The 'murder' of the Special Branch of Police has not yet been explained by the General. Can this committee live to our expectations?
Following a number of interviews with some police officers, this is what I collected:
Bangirana was in charge of serious crime at CID and messed up many cases. Lady Justice Sebutinde recommended that he be prosecuted for corruption. But the shameless General has now turned him into the de facto deputy Inspector General. Elly Womanya at CID is the de facto Director. Ochola is just a figure head. One military officer said, he did not even know that this gentleman (military officer) is in police. He is a notorious person at CMI and safe houses. He said "Nuwamanya and John Nduguse can torture you until vomit every word in you".
Another notorious former soldier but now in police is Norman in charge of Airport police. Recently he chased away a police woman from the airport because he thinks she is "ugly". He was deployed purposely to protect the drug traffickers who transact business for some UPDF Generals. May be these are the blue eyed boys who are rewarded for doing the dirty job. To many police officers, they say it is unemployment and poverty that is still holding them in police. Otherwise it is time to throw the towel to Kayihura and his henchmen.
On deployment of junior officers, tribalism was cited as the major factor. Nuwanya Herman, Nduguse, Kawesi and Nabakooba are all fellow Ugandan 'Tutsi' holding offices of commissioners. Are there no senior police officers of the above ranks? Can the parliamentary committee ask for the names and the ranks of the former officer holders in the above cases?
One officer advised that if the committee wants useful information let it interview officers in confidence and camera, a cross section of retired and serving officers. Many of the personnel said the morale is so low in the entire force unlike the Katumba days. Kayihura instead of taking officers for courses that would benefit the country he is wasting a lot of resources taking them to Kyankwanzi. Indeed, the worst performers in NRM regime are the so called "cadres". I stand to be challenged. Is Kyanwanzi still of any relevance? The only thing I learnt was that it was a Government Prison Farm and a big chunk of its land was grabbed by one NRM cadre and UPDF Colonel.
Lastly I call for a minute of silence to mourn for our dead police that Kayihura has murdered. May your soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
Readers Comments:
16 Jul 2008
1.
Dear Editor Radio Katwe
i wish to thank you for giving the public information of what is happening in our country. Am also thanking the Weekly Observer for keeping updating us on what is happening in the Police force.
My worry is on these Police Cardet officers who are in Kabalye Police Training School (Masindi) some of whom went there through corrupt means. So how will such officers who are soon finishing the course but entered the force through un lawful means can be expected to keep law and order?
Here below is the detail of how the recruitment was done;
They shortlisted 4,000 applicants who did the apptitude test at Didis World Kabalagala under the supervision of Public Service Commission and Police Officers who included Andrew Kaweesi among others.
After they shortlisted 1,000 to appear for aptitude test which was at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. There were three panels but each had members from the Public Service Commission and police officers. these are some of those who were smugled in:
1. Bwayomba charles( this was found sick after reaching Kabalye Police Training School and was sent back home)
2. Ninsima Godfrey
3. Kaigomba Jesaca
4. Kateba Paul
5.Paul whom i cnt recall his another name. but i will up date you
if you could get a list of 1,000 APPLICANTS WHO WERE SHORTLISTED FOR ORALTEST THAT IS WHEN YOU COULD IDENTIFY MANY OF THEM.
The applicants who were recommended from State House and had failed the aptitude test but were all considered.
There are many who were taken for training but didnt even appear on the shortlist for the aptitude test but they are now in their final stages of finishing the course. So what kind of officers who passed through such do you expect to get? of the corrupt ones as they entered the force through corrupt means.
21 Jul 2008
2.
DEAR EDITOR I READ WITH ANXIETY THE TRACGIC DEATH OF OUR POLICE FORCE AND WHATEVER YOU HAVE WRITEN ABOUT BAGIRANA AND KAWESI IS CORECT, BUT YOU HAVE FORGOTEN ONE MOST SENIOR AND PROFFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICER JULIUS ODWE? WHERE IS HE? AND WHAT POST IS HE HOLDING
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