Women Police Officers’ Plea for Justice - Kampala, East Africa

It was distressing to see women police officers bursting into tears at the Kibuli police training school playground in front of the Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen. Kale Kayihura. Mr. Kayihura is trying to bring positive changes in the law enforcement system of Kampala. I had read about the sexual molestations, rape and violence cases against local women and girls in Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum, Pader and Lira districts in Kampala but was unaware of women officers being victims of these criminal acts too.

The women police officers in Kampala were sexually abused by their male counterparts and superiors. After serving the law enforcement system for several years, the lady officers complained of not being promoted because they denied sexual advances. Mostly they sexually surrendered to their superintendents and senior male police officers to receive promotions and even to keep their jobs. These officers disclosed their miserable condition during a meeting with the hope of getting justice.

Male officers refused to deploy women officers in challenging projects, if they were involved in any disagreements with them. They were victimized for small mistakes. Male supervisors never tried to understand their limitations at the time of pregnancy. They are facing poor housing conditions, uniform shortage and sexual abuse.

Detective Nora Asiimwe said that many of her colleagues were sexually abused and contracted the HIV virus. She said "Due to sexual harassment, many of our colleagues get infected with HIV/Aids and can’t be admitted for refresher courses. They end up getting frustrated, which has discouraged many other young women from joining the force.”

To physically torture pregnant women, their supervisors assigned them to duties that only physically fit police personnel were capable of doing. Sergeant Shellie Namita Onega of the police band said that her bosses forced her to pay for a music instrument she accidentally broke while on duty and that since 2007, she has neither been deployed nor transferred.

Baker Isabirye, in charge of the family protection unit at Wandegeya said that she had been victimized for rightfully handling the case involving a former police officer who was alleged of defiling a house girl. She said “I discovered several blackmail letters in my file,”, adding that she had not been promoted for 15 years. She said many male Police officers above the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police commit serious offences but are not prosecuted."

Women police officers feel threatened from their supervisors and "God fathers" at the headquarters. They fear missing their salaries and STDs that they may get from the unethical officers.

Estate planning lawyers in NYC said "These women police officers in Kampala have suffered a lot. They were not only denied of their legitimate rights but sexually abused to survive in the system." Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyers said "It is a big relief to the women officers that Major Gen. Kale Kayihura is listening to their complaints and promising to take actions." Product liability attorneys said "Mr. Kayihura's statement to dismiss male officers, who ask for sexual favors from their women counterparts, is a big step to prevent such events."