Public warned against misuse of police uniform
This distinction according to Enanga assists the public, by indicating who they should approach, when in trouble and generally creates a sense of safety.
Police have so far confiscated high visibility vests, jackets, sunglasses, black attires, and other similar configurations from the bouncers under the Bouncers Association of Uganda (BAU), along with other attires from civilians and private security companies.
Police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga said the majority of these attires are police insignia, yet many private security companies, bouncers, and other civilians are using them recklessly to impersonate the police force.
Enanga noted that the police uniform is one of the most recognizable symbols in society and it serves to readily identify officers to members of the public and distinguish them from civilians.
This distinction according to Enanga assists the public, by indicating who they should approach, when in trouble and generally creates a sense of safety.
“The uniform projects an officer’s authority to arrest and protects them from interference by the public, when controlling a situation, including the use of force. We, however, continue to observe an increase in the manipulation of police uniforms, where private security organizations, Bouncers Associations, Political groups, and individuals, have adopted the darker black uniforms for the counter-terrorism police,” he added.
Other police attires highlighted by Enanga included the Khakhi for General Duties, white uniforms for the Traffic Police, among others, as well as rank insignia (PIPS), shoes, belts, and lanyards.
Enanga noted that these particular groups purposely adopt these uniforms to appear authoritarian and militaristic, whereas some wear them to convey a more aggressive message to the public.
“This is illegal and must stop immediately. For Private Security Organizations Regulations 23(3) of Statutory Instrument 2013 NO.11; The Police (Control of PSOs), gives guidance.”
Police further warned other individuals and groups, the unauthorized duplication and manipulation of rank insignia and accouterments of the police and other Sister Agencies like the UPDF and Prisons Services, is a violation of the laws, under the UPDF Act, Penal Code, and other Statutory instruments, that gazette the uniforms.
