UGANDA POLICE FORCE

Background

The harmonized Uganda Police Structure as discussed and passed by the Inter-Ministerial meeting held on 19^th December, 2008 at the Ministry of Internal Affairs among others created the Directorate of Political Commissariat.

This came as a result of the Presidential guidance at Police Training School Kabalye in December 2008, and after a need to establish one by the command of the police in order to accelerate the pace of transforming the UPF.

It should be remembered that the command of the UPF on 14^th September, 1992 under Circular Ref: A/CONF/60 directed the creation of the Department of Welfare and Community Affairs that was responsible for:

1. Welfare
2. Political Education
3. Band
4. Public Relations
5. Crime Prevention

This was done in order to improve police/public relations by providing quality service to the public.

However, due to several changes that were not very focused, the functions of the department were scattered and unfortunately that of Political Education scrapped.

The creation of the directorate of Political Commissariat is therefore, a welcome relief in support of the constitutional mandate of providing a police force that is nationalistic, patriotic and productive.

Structure

The Commissariat is headed by a Chief Political Commissar, who is at the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police. He/she reports to the Inspector General of Police. He/she supervises the following Departments headed by Commissioners of Police.

These are;

1. Department of Community Policing.
2. Department of Child care and Family Protection.
3. Department of Welfare and Production.
4. Department of Music, Dance and Drama.
5. Department of Information and Publication, and
6. Department of Political Education.

The directorate is represented at all regions by a Regional Political Commissar. However, there is also a Regional Community Policing officer, and a Regional Child and Family Protection officer. All Districts and divisions have a Community Liaison Officer and a Child and Family Protection officer. The later are carefully selected people who are well educated self-motivated officers. It is this core group that is given a deliberate course of instruction in mobilization, child and family protection and Community Policing skills.

The work of a Political Commissar

The Political Commissar is the ideological promoter of the Force. He/she is a mirror of others. He/she is the quality controller of the unit; reason why they must excel in all aspects of training e.g. weapon handling, marksmanship, smartness of body, discipline, law, and even drill.

At Unit level the Commissar must be abreast with peoples’ attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and feelings and must be able to explain why – to his/her subordinates, equals supervisors and members of the public. A political commissar must never be agape amidst situations of confusion or despondency.

It should be mandatory for every level of command to consult and/or involve the commissar in the day to day running of the unit. Time must be set aside for the commissar to meet and interact with the members either at his own request or as and when need arises.

However, this can only be possible when the Commissar has information about the Unit’s financial, material and personnel resources. Information about rights, privileges, logistics and emoluments of the unit must be availed to the commissar as a matter of policy. Because of the foregoing therefore, the Unit Political Commissar must be an officer whose stature can support around the unit and in the force as a whole – in terms of rank and facilitation.

The political commissar must monitor morale and attitudes of staff. He/she must guide and counsel other. He/she must raise the consciousness of the rest so as to serve a bigger purpose (ideal) than themselves. To keep others abreast of national, regional, and international developments. He/she must act as a custodian and watchdog of others’ rights. He/she must act as a connecting tissue between the force and the public and as an-intra force glue, promote good family life of officers, men and women because charity begins at home. He/she must be a good role model and example to others.

MISSION OF THE DIRECTORATE

To build a Patriotic, nationalistic and pro – people police force.

BROAD OBJECTIVE

To enhance efficiency and effectiveness in police service delivery.

OBJECTIVES

1. To promote and enhance patriotism and nationalism in the police force through providing skills and deeper ideology grounding of officers.
2. Provide and facilitate training of officers in political economy, basic economics, political history, organizational behavior and leadership.
3. Improve officers’ attitude, beliefs, perceptions and greater feelings about work and service delivery to the public.
4. To help the command structure in the day to day running of their units by consulting and involving political commissars who in turn must interact with the members of the force at all times.
5. To monitor morale and attitudes of members of the force and to guide and counsel those who need guidance and counseling.
6. To raise the general consciousness of the officers so as to serve a bigger purpose (ideal) than themselves.
7. To keep members of the force abreast of national, regional and international developments.
8. To act as a custodian and watchdog of other member’s rights.
9. To project the good image of the force and ensuring observance and respect of individual rights, human dignity, and the value of all members of the community and the department.
10. To nurture public trust by holding the police accountable to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.
11. Empowering community members to resolve problems by creating an environment that encourages solutions that address the needs of the community.
12. Ensuring protection of families, vulnerable groups in society and rights especially women and children.
13. Improving the standards of living and welfare of police personnel and their families through encouraging production, saving culture and self-reliance.
14. Using music, dance and drama as a very useful tool in influencing public opinion about the police and raising awareness about pro-active policing (crime prevention).
15. To develop and provide relevant information to the public about police and publicize such information for the purpose of building good public image.