Scientists Induced to join the Uganda Police force.
Final year students in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security (CoVAB) have been advised to take up employment opportunities that exist in the Uganda Police force. The force which is progressively getting professional has a number of openings for scientist in the Directorate of Forensics and related services.
The call was made during a meeting held Friday 14th January 2022 in the College Conference room under the coordination of Dr. Sylvia Baluka, Senior Lecturer School for Veterinary Medicine and Animal resources with the aim of introducing students to the Uganda Police Force as an option in their quest for employment after University.
The team comprised Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Andrew Mubiru from the Directorate of Forensic Services, ASP Mutesi Lillian Doris, the Head DNA and Serology, Directorate of Forensic Services and ASP Dr. Kisitu.
While addressing the students, the team leader SP Andrew Mubiru said they were in the College to interest the students to join the Uganda Police Force upon completion of their University program. He said this was an option available to the graduates with the only difference from other employment opening being the fact that the forces were more organized and orderly.
Senior Superintendent of Police Andrew Mubiru from the Directorate of Forensic Services,(Centre) ASP Mutesi Lillian Doris, the Head DNA and Serology Directorate of Forensic Services (Right) and ASP Dr. Kisitu (left)
He said crime management was a core function of the forces and that the graduates were at liberty to use the knowledge and skills acquired during their science based training in combating crime upon joining the Uganda Police.
The Superintendent of Police noted that although a number of fresh graduates shunned the forces because of the Uniforms, the Uganda Police Force had a lot of opportunity for career advancement for scientists in areas like entomology and other science based fields.
He elaborated to the students that the Police structure headed by the Inspector General of Police was also comprised of other structures like the Police Authority that spearheads the management and quality guidance to the police council as well as the Advisory committee all of which work towards ensuring the smooth running of the force.
He said the force had a total of eighteen Directors composed of persons with similar professions in fields that included Marine, Railways, Oils and gas as well as Forensics which provided graduate Scientist with the needed opportunity, where their skills could be applied in areas like Cyber-crime, ballistics and criminal identification involving the use of biometrics among others.
Senior Superintendent of Police Andrew Mubiru addressing COVAB students
He explained that for the Lab technologists and Veterinary graduates, there was still room in sections like forensic biology, the Food and drugs which was under formation as well as research in areas like explosives and residue analysis, chemical and biological weapons, poor quality Acaricides affecting the productivity of the farmers all handled within the mandate of averting crime.
While explaining the process of entry into the Uganda Police Force, the Police Officer said the prospects were bright with Degree holders joining at Cadet Level with a Salary scale of U4 upper, which was also getting raised. He however cautioned them that the force needed persons of good character, honesty and willingness to undergo the ideological training as well as taking the oath of secrecy as any other public servant.
“As a Police officer, you have powers of arrest, power to stop vehicles on the road, powers of entering for instance to investigate a premise, powers of breaking out’, he said while explaining some of the powers that came with the job of a Police Officer.
He said as a requirement, recruited persons whether Scientists on not were mandated to attend the basic police and resilience training to bring them to terms with the rigors involved in the course working long hours and taking commands. He said the Uganda Police force and Makerere University were in Collaboration to further research and that this would necessitate having scientists. While encouraging the students to respond to the forth coming call, he said special consideration would be given to applicants recommended by the Lecturers.
In reaction the students appreciated the information from the Police officers and raised their fears that included having to reside in Barracks, the possibility of retiring from the force to undertake private work as well as liberty to marry and found a family while in the forces.
The students commended the effort by their Lecturer Dr. Sylvia Angubua for the initiative that made the interaction between the students and officers of the Uganda Police force possible.
The team was received in the College by Ms. Tukahiirwa Lillian who observed that career guidance was key in enabling students make informed decisions in their job prospects. She said as an Administrator in the College, students have always requested for career expositions which were important in preparing students for the job market.