On March 23, AIGP Asan Kasingye was appointed the new Uganda Police Spokesman replacing fallen senior officer Andrew Felix Kaweesi who held the same rank.
In fact Kasingye became the only second police officer at the level of Assistant Inspector General Police (AIGP) to take over this docket after Kaweesi’s tenure was cut short.
In his new assignment, Kasingye would also head the Uganda Police Political Commissariate desk as chief police commissar who is tasked with promoting ideology, political education and organization, and committed to the civilian control of the police.
Previously, Kasingye was serving as Director Interpol and International relations.
As a student of political science and education from Makerere University, Kasingye as the new publicist who assumed office at a time when the Police Establishment was going through turbulence 6 days after the brutal murder of his predecessor, he promised to revamp the image of the institution and he thanked his superior Gen Kale Kayihura for choosing him as the suitable candidate for the job.
With only 9 days remaining to mark 8 months in office, the appointing authority announced that Kasingye had been dropped and succeeded by his junior at the rank of SSP, Emilian Kayima who has been the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) publicist.
In his message, Gen Kayihura on Tuesday said that he relieved Kasingye of his first position to enable him efficiently concentrate on community policing under political commissariate.
Whereas this could be the primary motive of removing him from the spokesperson office, the public viewed this as a veild move of sacking Kasingye who had been criticised by the population for consistently making contradictory statements which further tarnished the name of the force.
Kasingye, not once or twice had been advised by the members of the public to resign his job because “lying” in broad day light was increasing painting his name he has built for the last 28 years as a police officer.
A police spokesperson is the PRO of not only the institution but also the IGP, and the job requires zeal to sometimes “spin” to be able to protect the image of both of the above.
As a result Kasingye was seen as failing both his boss and the establishment.
After his removal from office, TrumpetNews reached out to Asan Kasingye (AK) through online social network Whatsapp and asked him a few question surrounding what many perceived as ‘sacking.’
On your appointment as spokesperson you pledged to your boss that he wouldn’t regret his choice, that you would protect, defend and improve the image of Police. Just 8 months of service you have been dropped
Do you think you didn’t satisfy your boss Gen Kayihura?
AK: It’s not about me. It’s about the Police as an institution. There is obviously need to pay much attention to ideological orientation of the police. This improves work ethic and image. I am thrilled that I will now play this role without paying divided attention to another heavy responsibility of Spokesman.
How do you rate your performance, are you better than your predecessors especially that you took office at a critical time with police at the centre stage of perpetrating criminality…
AK: Ugandans should rate me. But, I gave it my all.
Since March this year police has rigously been subjected to critism with no signs of its image improving which you were appointed to do. Did you ever think of resigning as many advised you?
AK: I always welcome all my assignments in equal measure and give them all my all. As a student of Public Administration and management and a senior officer, I can never turn down an assignment. A superior chided your assignment depending on your attributes. You don’t choose where to work.
You are known as honest, principled and clean. How would you feel lying to the public in the name of defending a very unclean institutions?
AK: I don’t like being called good in a bad institution. It’s us to shape the institution. The question must be, ” what must I do to make my institution better than I found it” Anyone, who wants to be better than the institution he/she serves, is in a wrong job.
You are a senior and experienced officer, what do you think the IGP has not done to curb the increasing criminal conduct in Police?
AK: IGP is the general commander. He gives strategic guidance. It can’t be him alone to solve institutional challenges including officers who commit crimes. It takes all officers to be professional and ethical. It also takes each and every one of us to take action against errant officers.
Seeing senior officers who belong to an organ you speak for charged in a Miltary Court as high profile criminals ….
AK: I am the chairman of Police Court of Appeal. I have been on this job for more than 10 years. I feel bad that officers who are supposed to keep law and order are the ones breaking the law. But, I am also encouraged that the rule of law and Justice must prevail. At the end of it all, I am sure that the allegations will be investigated very well and if found not culpable, they will walk with their heads high.
AIGP Kasingye has literary failed his job and a junior has replaced him. Do you think SSP Emilian Kayima will last 8 months?
AK: He is an able and very hard working officer. He has worked with me longest. I know he is articulate, intelligent, honest and professional. He has a deep understanding of Police work. When my boss called me and mentioned he will take over from me, I said “Yes. Thank you”
So others can’t handle and you wouldn’t step down…
AK: No. It’s his choice. But was only glad of the choice.
A number of officers have served as spokesperson while holding other positions and have lasted for years, but why you…
AK: The reason is contained in his message. I know my IGP. I know what he wants to achieve for the institution. I know what he advanced from his message came from the bottom of his heart. We discussed it before he wrote it. I am a lucky officer. He normally calls me to inform me of all my new assignments.
This means that you share a lot with your boss, so who those enemies of Police he normally refers to while making public speeches? Are they within security or outside the circles?
AK: He has never told me that he has enemies. He has never even told me that I am a friend. All I know is that he has comrades at work. Not friends. I respect him for that.
Mr Kasingye you are one of the richest officers despite earning an average salary. How did you amass your wealth?
AK: Today, I went to the bank to pay a debt I owe a friend. It was 3.600.000. I was told that the system was not working and they will effect it later. After an hour, they called me to say I didn’t have enough cash. I asked, “what’s my balance?”, she cleared her voice and said, 500,000/=. Is this what you call rich?
But I am comfortable with what I have achieved. It’s all from clean hands.
