, Thursday, June 7, 201211 Comment Police should adopt UK’s Project Griffi n

Nodin Muzee

refer to the June 1 article on the front page The Forum for Democratic Change party offi cials have assured their members that the party is still strong and united after the EALA mess the New Vision entitled Top Terrorist Enters Uganda. I The article states that the Police “would seek legal advice to close public places that have failed to put in place security measures to guard against terror attacks”. While this proposed action has good Congratulations Uganda, intentions, chances are that it is bound to have negative consequences. Bear in mind that the business community are already operating under harsh and stressful economic conditions due to the high infl ation; on top of that they are being harassed by the Police who are threatening legal action. This is bound to breed congratulations Zziwa anger and resentment and the willingness to cooperate with the Police in their objectives would be severely diminished. hey say, history is a tale told by development and keeps the Government The Police the winners. June 5, 2012 marked in check. would receive yet another historic feat for women We take note of the fact that Zziwa a very positive Tin the region, when Margaret becomes the fi rst woman to head the response if they Nantongo Zziwa was elected Speaker regional assembly, yet another fi rst after Dealing followed the of the East African Legislative Assembly Rebecca Kadaga, nurtured also, by the « British example, (EALA) in Arusha Tanzania, where NRM became one of the very fi rst women with terrorism where the the head quarters of the East African Speakers in Africa. London and the Community are housed. This is a testimony of Uganda’s does not need Metropolitan EALA membership comprises a total of deliberate efforts to fully recognise our police 52 members, of whom 45 are elected (9 women as active partners and recognition to alienate any introduced from each Partner State) seven ex-offi cio of their full optimisation of their potential. Project Griffi n members, the ministers responsible for Zziwa’s success and Dora’s tough race are part of society in April 2004. EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the the intended consequences of the gender This is a law and Secretary General of the Community and Mary Karooro equality aspect of the NRM. order initiative the Counsel to the Community. The insinuations then that she had not to educate about counter terrorism and crime The East African Legislative Assembly Okurut been supported by her party-the NRM prevention. It is meant to be the “eyes and ears” was established in 2002 and previous are false; because it is the NRM party for the police and to also prepare for major speakers have been from Tanzania and that nominated and eventually voted her emergencies. Kenya. Today though, the principle of overwhelmingly. This initiative brings together the police, fi re rotation has been followed and to have a EALA where they are serving their second The other insinuations, however, brigade, ambulance service, private security woman take over in Uganda’s turn is a very terms, both nurtured under the wings arising out of that shared victory about industry and other government agencies in welcome boost and inspiration especially to of the NRM. We borrow from the words her tribe as a muganda are unfortunate deterring, disrupting and support operations young women. earlier written, that indeed NRM has given because serving in East Africa, as it is in SEND targeting terrorist and extremist activities. Zziwa also joins the recently elected women wings to fl y. other Parliaments, is a divine calling that The initiative was adopted by 22 police forces Jesca Eriyo who replaced Beatrice Kiraso In Parliament, a lot of vibrancy had been surpasses every denomination. YOUR in England, Australia, Canada, Singapore, as Deputy Secretary Geneneral in charge shown, and eventually, the NRM returned Zziwa accepted her victory in grace with Write South Africa and America. It is also an of Political Affairs. This is a manifestation its six candidates, all of them tried and remarks attesting to serving the region VIEW offi cial platform from which the police share of an emerging landscape, with women in tested, and able to the task-Dan Kidega, during her tenure. to guestwriter@ intelligence information. leadership positions, where they previously , , Dora The Government is committed to newvision.co.ug The police engaged all stakeholders and seemingly feared to tread. Byamukama, Bernard Mulengani, Mike working with her to make sure that she outlined the positive benefi ts of Project During the campaign and eventual Ssebalu. Others who were voted were mainstreams Uganda’s interests and We take 600 Griffi n including the cost implications which election of the East African Legislative Mukasa Mbide, and Chris Opoka from advances the agenda for the East African words only. are minimal because they are shared. The Assembly representatives in Parliament, the DP and UPC respectively, and Susan Common Market Integration. And what project has also shown how effective it has there was a lot of excitement in the house, Nakawuki from the Independents. is Uganda’s interest? This is the full Also send a been dealing with real life terrorist threats. because here we were again, joining other After their election as members from realisation of the Integration of East Africa high resolution Ultimately, when governments are dealing members across the East African region in the opposition, the Leader of Opposition and her people. with terrorism, they can ill afford to alienate any exercising that all important voting right. Nandala Nathan Mafabi remarked that picture part of society. Our very own, Zziwa taking accolades “FDC is only party in the opposition”. Failure to adopt the approach that I am was no mean feat, coming ahead of Whichever way one looks at it, the The writer is the NRM spokesperson advocating will mean that terrorists and the another of our very own, Hon. Dora Government recognises that a vibrant and the Minister of Information and Find more of ideology that they espouse will continue to eat Byamukama. Both women have excelled at opposition is a healthy democratic National Guidance your views away at the fabric of our society like a cancer. online on www. What should Uganda do to successfully advance her agenda in EALA? E-mail:[email protected] The writer is a criminologist/security newvision.co.ug consultant