Uganda Police

Crime preventers are volunteers meant to guard against and prevent crime and should not be involved in partisan politics. These remarks were made by the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda while responding to a question by Hon. Reagan Okumu (FDC, Aswa), during Prime Minister’s Time. Dr. Rugunda said, “They are not supposed to be playing partisan roles. If there are any errors committed, we shall follow them up and ensure that they are stopped.”

Okumu, a Parliamentary Commissioner, said Police crime preventers were campaigning for the ruling NRM and intimidating supporters of other parties. He added that instead of crime prevention, they were causing crime and had become partisan. Crime preventers, who are mostly youths, undergo training in community policing courses aimed at empowering them with self defense skills, ideological orientation, crime prevention and patriotism.

Similarly, while responding to a question by Mukono Municipality MP, Hon. Betty Nambooze (DP), the Prime Minister said the role of the Police is to enforce the law without discrimination. Nambooze said that Police was arresting supporters of Hon. Amama Mbabazi, who had declared his intention to run for the Presidency.

The Leader of the Opposition, Wafula Oguttu (FDC, Bukooli Central) also claimed that Police was taking sides and “pushing people who do not agree with government hard on the wall.” Quoting recent media reports, Hon. Wafula also said that Police in Soroti had been asked to register as members of the NRM.

Dr. Rugunda explained that, “The role of Police is to enforce the law irrespective of who may be affected. Police should carry out its duties and should not be discriminating against anybody but enforce the law. All of us know that the Police, just like the UPDF and civil service serve all Ugandans (and cannot register to belong to political parties). Any departure from that is wrong and disciplinary measures should be taken,” said Dr. Rugunda adding that “We have to ensure that we continue building institutions that serve all people irrespective of political affiliations.”

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The motion to pay tribute to the late academician and renowned politician was moved by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs  Eriya Kategaya.

His motion was seconded by Leader of the Opposition Nandala Mafabi and Minister for ICT Ruhakana Rugunda.

Eriya Kategaya

Minister Kategaya described the late Nabudere as one of the politicians who fought for the independence of Uganda.

As a young man, he joined Uganda People’s Congress and made tremendous contributions to the politics of liberation.

Reminiscing through his days with the late academician and politician, Kategaya eulogized him for his contributions to the Moshi Conference and later the Uganda National Liberation Front that brought together Ugandan exiles in Tanzania who later overthrew the government of Idi Amin.

Kategaya said that Nabudere  was nationalistic, patriotic and a Pan Africanist. He loved Uganda and worked for the good of Uganda.

The Leader of the Opposition Hon. Nandala Mafabi described the day as a very black day for the sons and daughters of the mountains of the sun.

He hailed government for having decided to recognize Prof. Nabudere, but wished he had been given glowing credit when he still lived.

Nandara  said that Nabudere  was  a very consistent, trustworthy and dependable person who never misused his political office when he was appointed a government minister.

The Leader of the Opposition appealed to legislators to ensure that Uganda is fully liberated for all, which was one of Nabudere’s dreams.

ICT Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda who described him as a personal friend and mentor recalled his days with the Professor Nabudere who guided him through his early years as a student politician.

He eulogized the late Professor and his family for their personal contribution to his life during his life in exile.

Opposition politicians hailed government for having provided a platform for legislators to pay tribute to the Late Professor.
Professor Nabudere was eulogized as a trustworthy incorruptible individual and a researcher who has published many books and articles.

During his days as a politician, he served in the National Consultative Council, cabinet minister, member of the constituent Assembly that formulated the 1995 constitution.

“He was a Ugandan who did his part and in our view our political differences did not diminish his contribution. He believed ignorance was one of the causes of underdevelopment and fought hard to see it diminish,” Minister Kategaya told Parliament.

Prof. Dani Wadada Nabudere was born on December 15, 1932 in Bamuyamba Village in Budadiri. He exhibited a high level of economic excellence and served as Professor in several universities in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya and Dare salaam.

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