President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday afternoon presided over a pass out ceremony of over 3000 police officers who have completed an 18 months training at the Police Training School in Kabalye,Masindi district.
Among dignitaries present at the function included the Somalia and South Sudan police chiefs, ministers, MPs and other government officials.
Museveni and Gen. Kayihura pip one of the police officers
Speaking during the function, Museveni applauded the police leadership for building the force from a mere 18000 men to now 44000 which he said is a big achievement to the country and has helped champion peace in Uganda.
“We have been able to build a force based on quality and that is why you can only enter police after attaining S.6 .This is basic because in some cases police officers act alone unlike in the army where you work as a group,”Museveni said.
“When you are alone, things are difficult for you. It is the reason both numbers and quality matter a lot in the police force. It is because of this quality that the police moves very fast.”
President Museveni speaking at the event
The head of state said that the police is one the most important organs that help differentiate a state from a country.
Museveni explained a state as an organized authority over a country adding that one can have a country without a state stressing that the police is one of the instruments of coercion that make up a state.
He noted that at all times government would be willing to assist the police force to help move bigger strides adding that it is high time they thought of better housing facilities and schools for the officers’ children.
“I want teachers, health workers, soldiers and policemen to have decent homes but everything will be handled in stages,”Museveni noted.
“I also want to see government schools in all barracks so that police and soldiers’ children study free of charge from primary up to S.6.”
Police officers marching
In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Gen .Kale Kayihura applauded president Museveni for standing with the force at all times especially in critical moments.
“I thank you for standing with us when we were under attack. Building an institution is painstaking but we are human beings liable to mistakes. We appreciate your efforts in building capacity of the police,” Gen. Kayihura said.
Gen. Kayihura delivering his speech at the function
Of the officers passed out on Saturday, 1256 were cadets including pilots, doctors, engineers and accountants whereas 2685 were police constables.
The police spokesperson and Director in charge of Human Resource Development Andrew Felix Kaweesi, these officers will be deployed in the Kampala Metropolitan Police Area that covers Kampala , Wakiso, Entebbe and Mukono districts.
Museveni inspecting a guard of honour mounted by police officers