RECYCLED: Police Phases Out White Uniforms For Traffic Officers

By ROBERT KAMUKAMA

KAMPALA-SHIFTMEDIA- In 2018 the Inspector General of Police John Martins Okoth Ochola advised that only four of the 10 police sets of uniform would be retained.

This directive gets implemented next week with the phasing out of the white uniform for the traffic officers.

The Police Policy and Advisory Committee, has retained only uniforms for the Counter terrorism police(black), the Presidential Police guard (Bluecamouflage) and Field Force Police (computerized camouflage).

The decision stems from a proposal by the Inspector General of Police-IGP, Martin Okoth Ochola to eliminate all other uniforms and maintain the traditional khaki uniform.

In his proposal, Ochola noted that the force has several uniforms that are confusing to the public while some of them were difficult to manage.

He said some of the officers looked very dirty and were unable to manage some of the colors unlike Khaki, which was initially used in police due to its ability be used even in bad weather.

The Deputy Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango has confirmed development.  He explains that the remaining six uniforms including the brown camouflage used by the Anti-Stock Unit, White Traffic Police uniform, navy blue Marine police uniform, white and black Aviation Police uniform, the brass band navy blue and white uniforms and ceremonial wear will be phased out within the next few months.

“It is true we are only going to remain with FFP, CT, PPG and Khaki. The decision has already been made and in a few months the other uniforms will not be used,” Onyango told URN.

The affected uniforms were gazetted on April 23rd, 2010. The Police Legal and a Human Rights Directorate has been asked to begin the process of degazetting them.

Now the force has a new set of uniform, though all khaki, they will have color strips that will be put on shirts to distinguish the different units. The Traffic police will wear khaki uniform with a white strip on it.

The debate to change traffic uniform according to sources started in 2019 after images of traffic officers in tight attires made rounds of social media. Another reason why police top management decided to adopt khaki which has been for general duty police officers is that some personnel are allegedly shabby and unable to keep the uniforms neat.