“I was a real fighter, but they did not remember any of my efforts. I used to work, but the credit would always go to my bosses. I slept at Besigye’s gate for seven days during ‘Walk to Work’ protests but none of that was remembered” – Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala (Jonah Kirabo – ‘SAM OMALA: We saved this government but it has not appreciated us’ 06.12.2021, Nile Post).
The former Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala forgets a vital part. It is tragic to say it, but it is still true. That he was just a cog in the machinery and someone who could be easily transferred or be replaced. There was nothing significant or special about him. He was just another pawn or a soldier, which could be exchanged with someone else. That is what the regime has done and his sacrifices haven’t born him any fruits.
No fruits for his labour or his work. Not like his boss IGP Kale Kayihura has gotten a splendid life after his career. Yes, he gotten off the hook and been able to live well. He got soldiers and people around him to defend his life. However, anyone else is easily disposable. Unless, they were part of the tribe or the NRA founding fathers, which can get plum-job to this day, because they are still breathing.
Omala has forgotten his place and role. He played his part and served what the President ordered. He did what the President and the NRM wanted him to do. They wanted him to stand in the rain or in the sun to suffer. That’s what he did and he served as the officer he was. Just following the chain-in-command and doing his duty.
No other police officer or soldier will get accolades, unless they would suddenly sniff out Kony in Central African Republic or be able to kill the clone of Idi Amin in 2021. However, neither will happen and nobody will get the praises from His Excellency. His the only man with a vision and nobody matters, unless, they are serving his interests.
Omala was useful, but he got old and wasn’t energetic to sleep in a chamber of government. This former officer doesn’t have the character or cruel mind to politicking his way into prominence. That’s why his getting nothing. He did his thing for the system and regime, but the same machine doesn’t care about the nuts or bolts within it. The mechanic only starts to bitch or repair when these parts doesn’t work.
The Uganda Police Force would have quickly either transferred him to an boring outpost in Acholi or be galvanized on the Mount Elgon. Instead, the man became an Assistant Commissioner and had some sort of title to make him matter. However, there will come other like him and they will not be cared about it.
If he slept for 7 days there… good for him. However, there been other officers who spent days and weeks on the gates outside of Besigye’s house. Surely, the guys who stood in the weather and pissing on the road-side feels like they matter too. In 2016, the opposition politician had a wrecking record of house arrest from the polls and it continued after he came back from Luzira and Moroto prisons. Therefore, Omala isn’t that special and could be changed for some other useful officer to serve injustice to the citizens in the service of the H.E and the Fountain of Honour.
Omala needs to chill. His neither a NRA hero or part of the inner-circles of the NRM. His not that special… that might hurt his pride. So, a family member should give him a cookie and a soda. Peace.
MinBane 