What is mandate of police?

This story will help you to get the best solution whenever errant police officers take law in their hands. True, many police officers don’t know the mandate of police; ask them they will be agape!

The mandate of Uganda Police Force as provided in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and Uganda Police Force Act Cap 303, is protection of life and property, prevention and detection of crime, keeping law and order, and maintenance of overall Security and Public Safety in Uganda.

Do they live up it? Most times not.  Some time ago, about 3 years ago; The Drone Media published a story about a one Hajji Swawava, who owns Sir Apollo Kagwa Schools; he had connived with former head of Old Kampala SS and wanted to grab land that is occupied by old buildings. Those buildings belonged to custodian board ( departed Asians) etc

As it is, what pained Hajji Sewava was not the factual nature of the story; he wanted to know the source because the story mentioned that while he was Chief Accountant at Ministry of Education, there was discrepancy of UPE money. After the saga his schools mushroomed.

As a result, Hajji Sewava got some operatives who harassed   me until I reported them to the Head of Flying Squad. He was Herbert Muhangi by then; who advised them to use legal procedures, but they could not win the case so they backed off.

While I exposed Middle East Consultants when they were cheating migrant workers; they also used police officers to harass me until I went to CID headquarters. The officers at CID headquarters assured me that police is supposed to summon you officially not just ordering you on phone when actually there is no file. The officers involved were penalized and I believe they will never repeat the unprofessional act they committed due to love for money.

Recently, police guarding at Ministry of Health battered me, saying I was taking photographs of smuggled facemasks. I wondered how that could become an offense! They claimed some public places are restricted. However, I went to Professional Standard Unit, on the recommendation of Police Spokesman; SP Fred Enanga. On reaching there Madam Commandant told me I have a right to photograph a public entity, there is nothing like restrictions, “for what?” she asked. She directed officers to process the prosecution of the officers who battered me.