Uganda Police History

The first Europeans to reach Buganda were Captains Speke and Grant who arrived in 1862. Thirty-two years later, in 1894, the British government formally assumed a protectorate over the kingdom of Buganda. In 1896 the Protectorate was extended so as to include Bunyoro and other outlying portions of the British sphere of influence. Three years after this the first administrative stations were established in Acholi.
Following the signing of the Uganda Agreement if 1890 with the Kabaka, Chiefs and people of Buganda a similar agreement in more simple terms was made with the ruler of Ankole.

In 1903 the Eastern Highlands of the Protectorate – extending to within seventy miles of Nairobi, the Kavirondo country and other parts of the adjustments were made in later years before the boundaries were finally agreed upon.
Uganda has an area of 93.981 sq. miles of which 13.610 sq. miles are open water. The population, including all races, exceeds 18,000,000.

The Uganda Armed Constabulary

At the turn of the century the Special Commissioner appointed by the British government in 1899, formed an armed unit of some 1,400 men who were to act as an armed Constabulary playing a combined role of soldier-policemen though its main task was to undertake punitive expeditions to quell wars and disturbances which were continuously breaking out among various tribes.
Until 1905 control of the affairs of the Uganda Protectorate was in the hands of the Foreign Office but in that year it passes to the Colonial Office.

The Inauguration of the Protectorate Police Force

On 25th May 1906 Captain (later Brigadier-General) W.F.S. Edwards, DSO arrived in Uganda to take up the post of Inspector General of the Uganda Protectorate Police. Prior to his arrival the Force was for inspection purposes under the control of the officer commanding the Troops and had been to all intents and purposes a military organization was retained until replaced in 1908 by the first Police Ordinance.
The details of police work carried out by the Armed Constabulary are unknown as no records or returns were kept. The Inspector General remarked in his first report that “to put it broadly police duty was a o man’s child”.
The first task of the Inspector General was to publish plans and recommendations for the establishment of the new Police force. In two lengthy reports he suggested many reforms to provide the Protectorate with a Police Force whose main responsibility would be the prevention and detection of crime and the preservation of peace.
The customs, beliefs, superstitions and unsettled nature of the inhabitants of outlying districts and their inclinations to go to war on the slightest provocation necessitated the retention of a certain degree of militarism in the new force but more emphasis was made on police duty than had been the case in the time of the Armed Constabulary.
Many colonies and protectorates had, in the past drawn their officers from more established colonial forces such as Jamaica and Sri Lanka formerly Ceylon, men from the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. In 1909 eight District Superintendents, trained in the Royal Ulster Constabulary Deport, Dublin, arrived to fill the principal posts in the Protectorate Police Force.
In 1906 the strength of the Force was on officer, seven European Inspectors (second from the army), one Effendi (native officer), 118 NCOs and 848 constables. Included in these figures were 87 N.C.Os and men called “County Police” who were not under the hands of the Sub-commissioner Buganda Kingdom, and their control and supervision vested in various Saza Chiefs of the counties to which they were posted.
Twelve stations as Companies and Units were set up in various parts of Uganda. The main stations were Kampala (1 Inspector, 14 N.C.Os and 95 Constables); Entebbe, Mbarara, Hoima and Wedelai; Fort Portal.
During 1907 several outbreaks of war and disturbances occurred at Bupoto, the Bagishu made determined attacks on the Boma, all of which were successfully repelled by the Mbale Company. In the west a large force of Police marched 150 miles in five days through torrential rain and a mile deep mud to put down a rising in Toro. In June of 1907, 157 men under the command of the Inspector General took part in a twelve days battle during the Umire Expedition. The Inspector General wrote afterwards, “the conditions were exceptionally trying and arduous, every day we had to wade through fetid black swamps reeking with fever and lade with nauseous smells of decaying vegetation!”
Despite the adverse circumstances, which faced the new Police force a system of administration, records, files and statistics, and the introduction of a beat system known as beat circles in Entebbe, were completed by the end of 1907.
On the 20th November 1908 Captain (Later Lt Col) C. Riddick was appointed Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General became the Chief Inspecting Officer for both the Police force of British East Africa and the Uganda Protectorate.
In June 1909 the Fingerprint Bureau, which had been started at the end of 1908, was abolished under the directions of the Secretary of State despite its being successful. After representations had been made the Bureau was re-established in 1910.
The first statistics of crime were given in the 1909 annual Report when it was recorded that six murders and 322 thefts were reported to Police during the year.
Discipline had of necessity been strict and in 1908 punishments showed 60% of the strength. In 1910 the Mbale Company was somewhat out of hand but discipline was soon restored.
The opening of a Police Depot at Kampala on the 1st June 1910 helped both the housing problem and the avoidance of further troubles such as had been experienced in Mbale.
There were signs during 1910 that the Police were becoming more proficient and of the twenty-three violent crimes reported results showed a 79% clear up. Thefts decreased and the Commissioner wrote in his Annual report. “I am of the opinion hat the introduction of the “cat” in place of the “kiboko” has something to do with it.”
At the end of 1912 the force had been equipped with a Headquarters, C.I.D. Office, a Deport and fifteen Police Stations were functioning in various parts of the Protectorate. The Bagishu who had caused much trouble previously were given another trial as Police and the Batoro flocked for enlistment on its being known that after nine years service they would be exempt from Hut Tax. Spirillum fever, which had been prevalent amongst members of the Force, had practically vanished.
One of the biggest battles fought during these early years took place on Mount Guru when in 1912 Police battles for twenty-seven days during February on the slopes of Guru, inflicting 100 killed and capturing 413 fighting men.

During 1912 the Jinja-Namasagali railway opened and steamers began plying Lake Kyoga.
Recruiting, always a problem, was brisk in 1913 and mention was made in the Annual Report for that year that seventy Baganda recruits were obtained on one occasion when Mr. Nicoil took the Police Bugle band through Buddu. Corporal punishment for constable was abolished in 1913 and as a result dismissal for misconduct rose sharply.
During 1913 the Detective force comprising one Inspector and eleven Detectives was formed. The Annual Report shows that the use of bicycles was of great assistance and that many criminals were caught by its aid. The Signals Branch was at the end of that year, operating a very efficient Hekoi system mainly in the Northern Province.

The First World War

Following the outbreak of the war in august 1914 a Police Service Battalion with strength of 22 British Officers, four British N.C.Os and 750 African Ranks was promptly organized and dispatched to the southern frontier of Uganda.
During the next three years the Battalion was continuously in action in the field though there was little or no fighting in Uganda except for the protection of the Kagera River. Many operations were fought outside the Protectorate, which resulted in freeing Uganda from the risk of invasion and in capturing a considerable area of enemy territory. The battalion was disbanded in 1917.
No Annual Report for the years 1914-1917 are available but it is known that the Force was sadly under strength in that period, a factor which allowed crime to increase in the towns which were increasing rapidly in size and populations.

Following the outbreak of the war in august 1914 a Police Service Battalion with strength of 22 British Officers, four British N.C.Os and 750 African Ranks was promptly organized and dispatched to the southern frontier of Uganda.
During the next three years the Battalion was continuously in action in the field though there was little or no fighting in Uganda except for the protection of the Kagera River. Many operations were fought outside the Protectorate, which resulted in freeing Uganda from the risk of invasion and in capturing a considerable area of enemy territory. The battalion was disbanded in 1917.
No Annual Report for the years 1914-1917 are available but it is known that the Force was sadly under strength in that period, a factor which allowed crime to increase in the towns which were increasing rapidly in size and populations.

The Twenties

In the year following the end of world War it was possible to accelerate the development of the Police force away from the Military system of the gendarmerie type and towards a Police force in the accepted British sense. Although it was necessary to retain a minimum of military strength within the force, the direction of change towards a civilian Police force was helped by local authorities, for law and order already existed in much of Uganda.

The Inspector General, East Africa, visited the Protectorate in 1920. He was Brigadier-General Edwards, the man who had helped to inaugurate the Uganda Police in 1906. His report of his visit included many suggestions; for the institution of the cadre of Sub-Inspector (Native Rank); the setting up of a Provincial Police Control system; the extending of the teaching of first Aid, and the decreasing of drunkenness amongst constables. He advocated also that Officers’ tunics should have two side pockets and the khaki safari shirt should be replaced with a khaki blouse having a turn down collar open from the neck.
In 1921 forty-three murders were reported to Police, spear wounds being the main cause of death. One case of cannibalism was reported among evacuees from the sleeping sickness areas of the Sesse Isles. Criminal reports show also that the Bantu tribes still practiced the custom of killing both parties found “flagrante delicto” in adultery. During 1921 the first Legislative council was formed.
By the end of 1922 the C.I.D had been re-organized and proved of material benefit especially by the introduction through its agency of improved methods for the prevention and the detection of crime.
An appointment in the new grade of Asiatic Sub-Inspector was made in 1923. In the same year more modern firearms and ammunitions were issued to the Police, replacing the weapons, which had been giving cause for complaint for some years past.
To increase mobility in the Force senior officers were allowed, at this period, to use motorcars on Government services whilst other ranks were allowed motorcycles and sidecars for this purpose. Officers were expected to supply their own vehicles, and the fact that certain officers did not or found themselves unable to do so, severely restricted their usefulness.
The sub-depot at Kitgum, which had been open for a number of years, was closed in 1923, and the training of personnel centred at Kampala. Although lessons were conducted in Kiswahili, education in reading and writing in English was encouraged.
Unrest amongst members of the Force was experienced in 1924 but a slight pay increase and recommendations for improving housing conditions had some effect on moral and discipline.
In November 1924, His Highness Mutesa II was born in the house of Uganda’s most celebrated medical missionary, Sir Albert Cook.
In May of the following year the Assistant Commissioner of the Police attended the first course of instruction in Police administration for senior officers held at Scotland Yard, London.
With the extension of the Kenya and Uganda Railway into Uganda a Special Railway Police Unit under the control of the Railway Magistrate was set up in 1929. Twenty-five African Ranks were seconded for this duty, and the unit operated until, 1931 when the railway extension to Kampala was concluded. A Railway Police was formed again in later years.
The amount of traffic in towns had increased enormously by 1926 and called for greater activity in its control. Selected Constables were trained for traffic duties and posted at fixed points in Kampala with satisfactory results. These men were supplied with red armlets which were ‘readily distinguishable’ according to the Annual Report.
By 1928 more civilian subjects were being taught at Police Training School, and Baton Drill was introduced. The mobility of the force had been stressed so often that during the year, a Flying Squad of N.C.Os and Constables mounted on motor-cycles and sidecars was formed; their frequent visits to outlying districts and villages, especially for enforcing the Highway rules as well as investigating the evasion of payment of motor and trade licences, bicycle licences, poll-tax, etc. was reported as most valuable.
During 1929 the first school for the children of policemen was opened in Kampala, to assist with the demand for education, which was gaining strength throughout this decade.

The Thirties

The rapid increase in the numbers of motor vehicles on Uganda’s roads necessitated the introduction of a scheme to establish a central record of all vehicles registered and licensed in the country. To achieve this aim a Central Registry was started in 1920 and during that year 3619 vehicles were recorded. The Registry exercised a similar function in respect of permits and licences for arms and ammunitions.
Another step towards the control of traffic was the introduction in the same year of a new Traffic Ordinance, which included provisions for the control of all Public Service vehicles; the necessity of third Party Insurance; the obligatory use of Licence Discs, and the introduction of Annual Driver’s Permits.
In 1931 the financial position of the Protectorate caused a reduction in the establishment by nine officers and 275 other ranks. Seven of the Officers’ posts were filled later by police of the rank of Inspector. A Special Civil Police Section, comprising the more intelligent and better-educated African members of the Force was formed and continued efforts were made to increase the Sections sports flourished during the year.
On 1st January 1931 the Police magazine “Uganda Police” was inaugurated. During its first year the magazine was printed in Kiswahili only. In 1938 the name was shortened to “Habari” and later it was printed in both English and Kiswahili.
Two outstanding events in communications occurred in 1931; the extension of the railway to Kampala was completed, and the first airmail service between Great Britain and Uganda was established.
Another change in uniform occurred in 1932 when boots were permitted for the first time to be worn by certain N.C.O ranks and by drivers.
After thirty years service No. 961 Assistant Sub-Inspector Kukito was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in 1932. He enlisted in the Uganda Armed constabulary in 1902, was severely wounded at Guru in Police operations against the Lamogi tribe in 1912, served with the Police Service Battalion throughout world War I when he was awarded three war medals, and he held the African Police Meritorious Service Medal.

In the year 1933, for the first time, the force purchased mechanized transport. Two station wagons were taken into use and two fire engines were stationed at Kampala and Jinja. Four years later a Mobile Traffic Section was formed one officer was posted to Police Headquarters and three Inspectors of Vehicles were posted to Kampala and Jinja. They were provided with two, one horse power cars in which to carry out patrols, to investigate cases, report traffic accidents and make investigation arising there from. A Traffic Control Board was set up to advise Government on all traffic matters and to consider licences for Public Service Vehicles.
After twenty-seven years the Fingerprint Bureau was shown to be continuing its success. 23,000 sets of fingerprints were held at the end of 1937; of 3,356 sets received during the twelve months 1,285 were recognized as being those of previous convicted offenders.
The Traffic Section of the Force was again reorganized in 1938 and a special Mobile Section formed. The rank of Inspector of Vehicles was abolished, when some personnel returned to their Government Departments from which they had been seconded. Those who remained in the force were appointed Inspectors of Police. In that year a new Traffic Ordinance was put into force.

World War II

The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 made it necessary for the police to undertake additional duties both of military character and in various forms of watch and ward. To make up the required strength of the Force a number of ex-Constables were re-engaged. A Police Service company was formed and garrisoned in Lokitaungs adjacent to Abysinia (now Ethiopia) until relieved by military forces.
The new Police Training School at Kibuli should have been occupied in September, 1939 but it was handed over to the officer commanding the Troops for military purposes. Police instruction was carried out when the School was temporarily housed in the precincts of the provincial prison at Port Bell. The Training School reverted to its rightful owners in mid 1940.
A valuable contribution by the Police during the war was the provision of well-trained N.C.Os who contributed their discipline and knowledge to the expansion of military training centers. Similarly experiences gained by Policemen seconded to military forces and who served in North Africa, the Suez Canal Zone, Burma and East African territories served them all when returned to resume normal Police duty.
In 1942 a Police Service Unit was raised as a Wartime, time was taken to review the welfare and conditions of members of the Force.
In 1947 a new scale of salaries for African Ranks was introduces and all received their new rates and back pay by the end of October.
For the first time a Police band establishment was introduced by the government in the 1947 estimates. Previously the band had consisted of a few buglers and drummers borrowed from regular Police duty. In that year a Bandmaster arrived from England to take up his duties, and money was approved for the purchase of instruments.
Civil disturbances during the month of April and May 1949 again threw heavy responsibility onto the Force. The report of the commission of Inquiry into the disturbances said: “Throughout the disturbances the Protectorate Police did magnificently. This is not merely my own opinion but it is also held by the military officers. Throughout, liaison and co-operation between the two Forces, as well as the civil administration, was all that could be desired.”
In that year authority to increase the establishment of the force was approved by Government.

Period of Expansion

Early in 1950 a revised Development Plan was adopted which raised the authorized establishment to 134 officers and inspectors and 2,813 other ranks. Included also were recommendations to extend rural policing.
During the year the rank of Assistant Inspector was abolished. It was also decided to appoint an officer to fill the new post of commandant, special constabulary.
In recent years a number of officers from the Palestine Police had been admitted to the Uganda Police, and several ex-army officers were appointed to serve with the Police service Unit at Bombo. In 1950 and 1951 recruiting in Britain attracted a large number of serving Policemen and others to fill the additional posts of Inspectors of Police. At the same time recruiting drives were conducted throughout the Protectorate to obtain local recruits.
An indication of the improved literacy standards among African members of the Forces was reflected in 1951 Annual Report. It was recorded that about one-third of the establishment were drawing languages allowances for English and/or Kiswahili.
In 1950 Government set up a Road safety Committee of Inquiry to look into the steady growth of road traffic accidents. In the main the Committee’s Report placed more responsibility on the Police, and recommended various changes in reports and records, an increase of Police mobility and improvement of the existing Traffic Branches.
In the following year an Officer was recruited in England and he was posted to Police Headquarters as a Traffic Superintendent. After assisting with the required changes this officer was appointed. “Traffic and Communications Officer” also having the Command of the Radio Section. Some years passed before this post was divided, when a Force Traffic and Transport Officer and Signals Branch Officer were appointed.
In 1952 a Police Driving School was opened. Its primary task was the training of certain N.C.Os and Constables for Motor-cycle Mobile traffic Patrols. Later, the school was extended to include the training of Drivers, Traffic Foot-Patrolmen and crews of “999” cars.
The last forty years have seen many changes and advances in Uganda and in the Police force. The growth of the population, the impact of commercial life, the spreading of road and rail communications and, latterly, the upsurge of political matters, have required the Uganda Policemen to expand his role.
During 1952 also “999” Radio-patrol cars began full-time operations in Kampala and the Information Room was opened.
A Police College was opened at Naguru in 1953, and its function has helped to produce a far better quality of policeman. Later, with the closing down of the Bombo Depot, a Special force of military type police, formerly the Police Service Unit, made its Headquarters at the College.
In January 1953, one African and one Asian member of the Force were appointed to the rank of Assistant Superintendent. In that year courses for the new cadre of learner Sub-Inspector began at the training school. The rank of Inspector in respect of European Officers was abolished and the majorities were appointed Assistant Superintendent.
On January 1954, the Provincial Police System was re-introduced, first in Northern and Western Provinces, later in Buganda and Eastern Provinces. The Provinces were to be called ‘Regions’ in later years.
The year was clouded by two state of emergencies in Buganda, and by an abnormal wave of crime in the first half of the period which did harm before it was brought under control. A worrying feature of some of the more serious crimes was the use of firearms by criminals carrying out highway robberies.
In the same year an extensive scheme was undertaken to install modern radio equipment in stations and posts throughout the country.

Golden Jubilee Year: 1956

During 1956 the Uganda Police celebrated its fifth anniversary. In May ceremonial parades were held in all Police districts when an exchange of messages between Queen Elizabeth and all ranks of the Force was read. A Police Jubilee parade was held in Kampala in December, at which the Government of Uganda took the salute and presented to the Force on behalf of the Government as a set of seven silver fanfare trumpets.
Fifty years before in 1906 when the force was inaugurated, its strength had been 975 men of all ranks. In 1956 the establishment was 1,331 officers and Inspectors and 3,709 other ranks – including NCOs Constables, drivers and firemen.
The Annual Report records that during the year more emphasis was placed on the training of police. A Director of Training was posted to Headquarters and an Educational Officer, a Drill Instructor and a Weapon training Instructor were appointed to the Force. Training in courses for Cadet A.S.Ps Instructors and for promotion in various ranks was stepped up also.
The report gave an indication of the immense growth of crime and other factors dealt with by police during the year; Penal Code – Over 31,000 cases; Traffic Ordinance – Over 18,000 offenders and more than four thousand offences against subsidiary legislation. In the fingerprint Bureau the main collection contained the classified sets of prints of 214,000 persons.

Towards Independence: 1958-1961

From 1958, the increased activities of political parties presented fresh problems for the Government and for the Police. In some cases these activities were subversive and detrimental, much harm was done before such situations were brought under control.
At one period a trade boycott in Buganda, threatened not only the country but also its economy. Initially, this boycott was aimed at Asian traders but it soon got out control and was accompanied by a crime wave of arson, robberies bomb outrages and general violence. During this boycott, and in other periods of unrest, which followed, it was often difficult for the police investigators to determine whether a crime was motivated by political causes or for personal gain or revenge. Severe Government measures, including the declaring of boycotts as illegal as well as strong Police action, became necessary before control was regained.
During the four years before independence, statistics for crimes committed in connection with periods of unrest and other crimes, reached a new high level. To combat these problems the Special Branch and the CID were re-organized and expanded.
These four violent years were difficult ones for all branches of the Force throughout the country. In 1960 in Bukedi, riots took a large toll of lives, damage to property and one bordered on a localized civil war; in Mengo a flare-up of intertribal trouble resulted in a number of deaths in one village, and Karamoja cattle raiding and tribal fighting continued to demand the strengthening of Police manpower in the district. In Mubende, the “Lost Counties” dispute brought a further wave of arson and crop slashing. Meanwhile, events in Uganda’s neighbouring countries, the Congo, Rwanda-Burundi and the Southern Sudan, necessitated increased vigilance along the country’s borders. The Special force in its militant role was engaged frequently in preventive and punitive actions all over the country.
The period saw an upsurge of crime generally and all branches of the Force were stretched to the limit of their resources. On many occasions, to aid the Regular members of the Force, the special assisted by manning “999” cars, serving in Kampala’s Information Room, reinforcing beat duty personnel, and operating a small Special Mobile Group capable of military-type duties.
Despite the pressure of events major steps were taken by Police Headquarters staff to increase the establishment of the force and to make it more efficient whilst preparing for the future. Recruiting campaigns were conducted, and the promotion of local officers accelerated. Included in the Force’s expansion programme was the appointment of pilots to the newly formed Air Wing. The information of a Dog Section; the introduction of a Woman’s Police Branch, and the appointment of a Senior Welfare Officer to the Force.
Under a five-year development plan an extensive Police Building Programme was carried out to build new stations, posts and housing. This programme was carried forward into the 1960’s to meet increasing needs. Towards the end of the period a new station was occupied in Central Kampala. Police Headquarters moved into a new office block adjoining the Parliamentary Buildings in the city.

Independence Year: 1962

At the end of 1961 and in the early months of 1962 the first of the expatriate Officers were permitted to leave the force. At the same time local officers were promoted to fill the vacancies and to occupy senior posts.
When a self Government was proclaimed in March the title of the post of Commissioner of Police was abolished and replaced by Inspector General of Police. By the enactment of legislation the Inspector General became responsible for defined matters pertinent to certain local Government Police, as well as being the executive head of the Uganda Police.
The problems and unrest of the past few years continued into 1962 despite the strain on the Force, planning went ahead for policing the ceremonies and celebrations, which would take place when Independence was achieved.
In October, British protection came to an end, and Uganda became an Independent nation within the Commonwealth. On the 1st April 1964, the control of the force was handed over to Mr. Erinayo Wilson ORYEMA. During this time, the force was renowned for it’s efficiency.