UGANDA'S FIRST POLICE WOMAN TELLS HER STORY

April 6, 2004 – (New Vision) Dark skinned men in maroon uniform brandishing guns, pick up trucks and a big house welcome you to the quiet place surrounded by huge mango trees. In the office, a dark-skinned bespectacled lady seems busy, she shuffles through files while speaking on phone. A British law book and a dictionary of the 1960s, a visitor's book, files, a small radio and several certificates and photos stand out in the simple, but spacious and well-furnished office. This is the office of Kate Rukidi proprietor of Express Security and a pioneer Policewoman.

The mention of the word 'police' in Uganda conjures up memories of corruption, bribery and life synonymous with abject poverty. But, for Rukidi and others who saw the inception of the Police in Uganda, it was a profession many envied and strived to associate with in its infancy- it was a career men and women pursued with a passion. Policemen and women were highly regarded in society.
In 1961 a drive to recruit the first women into Uganda Police by the colonial government was on. To be eligible, one had to be 5ft 6 inches and a junior three graduate.

A young girl, who had just completed her junior education in a remote town of Fort Portal picked forms and proceeded to train as a pioneer woman police officer. Together with eight colleagues, Rukidi underwent a police-training course, and consequently went down in the books of history as Uganda's first women recruits in the Police force.

All eight have since retired from active service. They include Kate Rukidi, Janerose Kisembo, now in Kenya, Florence Mboijana (RIP), Balikya Lillian Karagaire (Mrs) working with an investigative firm, Elizabeth Lule (RIP), Winfred Nyirankumiriza now in Kisoro, Ruth Among and Pauline Maniraguha.
Though joining the Police for women was like a taboo in African societies, to Kate and colleagues it was a calling. "It was prestigious to join the Police and we saw it as a calling to serve society. We were respected and highly valued. Our living conditions were superb.

We earned little, but it was valuable. A bribe was never heard of during our days," she recalls.
A policeman/woman then earned about sh240, was given a house and other essentials like food, shoe polish, bulbs and soap. For Rukidi, joining the Police, which was perceived as a men's field, it was unacceptable to family and friends.

However, she ignored them and went for the training where she emerged the best trainee over all. She beat all recruits including men and got a prize and certificate of best all round probationary police woman in 1961," - the certificate hangs in her office.

Rukidi rose through the ranks within the police force where she served for over 30 years, from a corporal to a rank of inspector before retiring in 1991. Between 1991 and 1996 she served as senior enforcement officer-Fort portal and branch manager -Security 2000 before establishing her own security firm- Express Security.

"I employ a substantial number of Ugandans and being a woman in this male dominated business- it's quite challenging and very competitive. My experience in the force and a passion for keeping law and order in society are my guiding principles."

In a paper titled The Role of Women Police in the Uganda Police force, written by Rukidi, women play a vital role in the affairs of police, but still lag behind their male counterparts.

"We have several directorates in the force, but all are male dominated. Women are promoted after exhausting the list of men. Representation is still poor for women in the force. As it is the Government policy to uplift the status of women, women police should be helped out of this predicament,"

Donning a blue kitenge, the bespectacled woman, does not depict any traits of a typical policewoman. She is soft spoken, assertive, graceful and looks younger at the age of 64.
Laying back in her seat, Rukidi says life has not been all rosy. She lost her husband in 1977, and single handedly raised her 5 children - all graduates now.

Leonard Kigonya disappeared under mysterious circumstances at the peak of political turmoil in the 70s shortly after retiring from prisons where he was a commissioner. "He disappeared mysteriously ... Not even his body was recovered," with difficulty Anita who was 3 years old at the time of her father's death ponders.

Following the death of their father life was never the same for the Kigonya's. However, under the guidance and good care of their mother, Anita and her siblings have struggled to the top. Her first-born took after her and joined the Police where he served for 10 years before taking on administrative work. Her daughter Anita Kigonya runs a consultancy firm and was recently crowned female youth entrepreneur of the year.

To employees and colleagues, Rukidi is a hard working, patient and a caring employer.
"I have loved working under her, she teaches and counsels instead of rebuking or sacking employees. She even consults her juniors for advice. She is a down to earth woman," said Simon Okello a security guard.

What chances did you stand against the advantaged men within the force? "In fact, on the contrary, we had an advantage over men. We were accorded all the privacy and dignity worth a woman. I remember one inspector was demoted because he came to our dormitory, only our Sergeant was allowed.

Everything was done on merit that is why, despite my gender, I rose through the ranks faster than men," she says. Rukidi specialised in taking care of juveniles and women during her service in police.

The challenges that some women face at work places did not spare them in their early days of service - sexual advances from male bosses was the order of the day. "They forgot we were serving officers, and wanted to progress in our careers.

The standing orders of the Police did not allow this kind of thing. And even still one had to marry a person of his or her rank after getting permission."

Kabataizibwa Rukidi was born in 1940 in Nyamitoma Village Fort portal and attended primary at St. Cecilia Primary School. She enrolled at St. Anne's Junior Secondary School Fort portal between 1956 and 1959 where she qualified with a secondary school certificate grade1 before enrolling at police training school Kibuli in 1961 as a police recruit.

She did several short courses including a cadre course in Mubuku Kasese in 1985 before heading to Britain where she did a course in Airport Security in 1986. Her advice to the women is "Be sincere with yourself. Know what you are and respect yourself.

Today, we have scandalous incidents, which never happened during our days. You hear about things like kimansulo, women killing others over men - this is because of lack of self esteem."

Her most interesting moment is being able to overcome the challenges of single motherhood.
"It is a very big challenge to bring up children as a single mother. I have worked hard for them and with God's grace I am proud to have graduates in my home."

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200404060339.html