President Yoweri Museveni today recognized Ms Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana and Ms Rukidi -the two pioneer female officers to join the Uganda police force for their inspirational role in women empowernment and the effort to close the gender gap.
Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana, now 79 years and one of the few surviving pioneers of UPF, was in the first cohort of 10 females to join the Uganda Police 60 years ago in 1960. In his appreciation tweet, Museveni recognized the two women and others who followed in their footsteps for their role in inspiring as well as championing women empowerment in Uganda.
“Today marks 60 years since the first women first joined the Uganda Police force. In particular, I would like to recognize Ms Pauline Maniraguha and Ms Rukidi -the first women to join the police force” Museveni tweeted.
The two women and other female pioneers of the Uganda police joined at a time when conditions and regulations were skewed to favor male servicemen and females had to endure harrassment of many forms while in service. For instance; It was mandatory for a policewoman to seek permission to get married and an abomination to get pregnant while still in service.
In her autobiography “To be Shrwed without being a Shrew” Maniraguha recounts her experiences and shares her knowledge about the evolution security services in Uganda highlighting the tough conditions female police officers had to endure. Records show that her first posting was in the traffic department.
In her book, Maniraguha narrates that pregnancy was always enough to show policewomen the exit from the force. In 1965, she applied for marriage and her request was granted. A number of her seniors including her immediate boss who she refers to as ‘Sir Richard’ attended the wedding at Christ the King Church.
But the joy her immediate bosses exhibited at her wedding twisted when she reported her pregnancy six months later. Sir Richard recommended to the (pioneer African) Inspector General of Police, Erinayo Wilson Oryema that she needed to resign.
Sir Richard based his argument on Police Standing Order Chapter 3 which stated that if a pregnant female police officer refused to leave the force on her accord, the police would dismiss her. The commandant gave her a copy of the recommendation he had made to the IGP later who granted her annual leave of 36 days plus 90 days of unpaid leave.
Maniraguha says her resilience and standing force her rights was one of the reason why treatment of female police personnel has tremendously evolved over the years.
Museveni said he is committed to championing and empowering women at all levels in service and leadership in order to achieve gender parity that is reflective of Uganda’s population.
