By John Stephen Katende

24^th Oct 2011:

IGP Kayihura: Criticised by senior officers

He has been in post for over five years.  In that time, nearly all opposition political parties in Uganda have cried foul over his force’s brutality.  Independent civil society and human rights groups operating in Uganda have also spoken out against him.  The international community has faulted his heavy-handed policing tactics.

Now, and perhaps for the very first time, three senior officers  in Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kale Kayihura’s Uganda Police Force (two still serving at the rank of Commissioner and one retired) have said they are terribly ashamed of the way their boss (Kayihura) is running the force (unprofessionally) like an army unit.   

“…I joined the police force many years ago to serve the people of Uganda. In the early days, we were allowed to practice what we had learnt from Masindi (police training school – Ed).  We were very happy to be professional and non-partisan because it made our work in the community very easy.  Sadly, our current boss is making it very difficult for us discharge our duties without fear or favour”, said one officer.

When asked why he doesn’t resign, the officer sounded like he was trapped between a rock and hard place, unsure of what to do.  “…Many of us are ashamed of his (Kayihura’s) partisan behaviour.  But we also feel powerless to do anything about it. What is clear is that things need to change soon.  If they don’t, then I will seriously consider following Odwe”, the officer said.

I asked this officer if he could recommend another senior police officer for me to talk to.  He recommended a retired police officer, a man he says mentored him for two years after he joined police in 1993.  A weekend meeting was quickly arranged at a bar in Kireka.  There he was, tall, upright, and with a firm handshake.

From the moment he opened his mouth to greet me I could tell that he had what sounded to me like a strong Teso accent.  He bought me a soft drink and we began the interview.  And unsurprisingly for a dignified man of his age, he sounded more subtle and diplomatic in his criticisms of Gen. Kayihura’s militant management style.

“…This country belongs to you young people and you need to take charge of it.  We have done our bit.  As for Kayihura, I remember that a few years after he came in, things started changing for worse.  When the Black Mamba appeared in police uniform at the High Court, I told my wife it was time to retire.  When she asked me why, I told her I would rather die of hunger in my house than lose my dignity and integrity”, the retired officer said.

His wife seemed baffled at first, he said, but eventually understood why he had taken the decision to retire after he explained to her the real reasons why.  “…We have been married for over thirty years.  She knows how principled I am.  And Kayihura’s style did not sit well with my principles as a professional police officer.  And I can tell that there are many officers like me but they simply don’t have the courage to do what I did”, he said.

My last interviewee was another serving Commissioner of Police based at Farmers House.  He said he prefers to do the interview outside his office for fear of being caught and punished for speaking out.  So he took me to a restaurant on Nkrumah road for the lunch time interview.

“…I am working under Kayihura not because I like it but because I have no choice.  We are being ordered by young men who seem to take their orders from the army.  Police is no longer what it used to be when we were concerned with keeping law and order.  It’s more like a unit of the UPDF now.  Every small problem is dealt with militarily and it pains me so much”, the Commissioner said.

I also asked this officer why he doesn’t resign if he really feels that simple policing issues are being handled unprofessionally.  “…I wish I could resign.  I am trapped in police uniform when what I am ordered to do requires a military uniform.  But who will pay fees for my children if I resign?  Who will pay rent for my house, the police Commissioner said.

We asked the police public relations department (via the force’s facebook page) for comment on the issues raised above but no one had got back to us by the time we went to press.  What do you think?  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.