Uganda police officials say they hire the best-qualified officer based on testing, regardless of gender, but urge there usually aren’t a large number of female candidates from which to choose.
When she finished her bachelors degree in political science and sociology at Makerere University, Elizabeth Muwanga opted to join the Police Force in 1980.
Despite criticism, she turned a deaf ear to disapproval and responded to an advertisement in the media, calling for applications for people to become cadet police officers.
Her application was warmly received, a move that saw the fresh graduate step into a profession society considers a no-go area for women. Only 26 Ugandans were considered and Muwanga was the only woman among them.
The present day grand mother of twins and the other recruits trekked to Naguru, a city suburb, for induction, after which they were transferred to Dar-es-Salaam for further training.
Over time, she rose through the ranks, to become the Assistant Inspector General of Police, one of the highest ranking officers in the force.
I’m here to testify that God has been with me, Ms Muwanga, who has served the Police force for over 37 years, told congregants at Praise Cathedral Church, Ntinda – Kampala on Sunday.
She used her speech to appreciate God, revealing that her time in office had officially come to an end.
“We entered that gate 26 of us, young men and woman. 11 are alive, the rest are barred. I thank God I’m alive. Of the 26, I’m the last one to leave. I thank God.” Ms Muwanga said.
“When we were joining, they told us there are three (3) exits, there is death, I escaped, dismissal, I escaped, there is tension, I escaped.” She Added. “I thank God who has enabled me to finish well. He has opened another door for me as a senior citizen.”
Ms Muwanga has also been head of Directorate of Welfare. Here, she was in-charge of maintaining and enhancing the welfare of Uganda Police officers and their families.
Ms Muwanga recently said she has during her time in office fought violence and mistreatment that some female officers go through. She also noted that “The situation of women in police today cannot in any way be compared to that of post-independence times. There is certainly a lot of improvement.”
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