The decision by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omara to join a private security company has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
Omara, who is famously remembered for being deployed in police operations to contain Dr Kizza Besigye and other opposition leaders during protests, was on Monday unveiled as the Deputy CEO of Arrow Security Services, a private security company.
But the move has seen positive and negative reactions, with some saying it reflects his fall from grace to grass over poor planning for his retirement while others backed him, saying it is normal for any retired civil servant to join private work.
The tweep to draw the first blood was retired Police Commissar Asan Kasingye who described the photo of Omara’s unveiling as the worst he has ever seen on social media.
“This is the saddest photo I have seen on the internet. It has nothing to do with the officer being “decorated”. I had written a full script for my reasons. I just pressed DELETE,” he wrote.
Others backed him, saying the statement implies that he did not plan for his retirement properly.
Wafula Omukikai said: “’Used and dumped’ is the best way to describe the fate of many people in high-powered positions. They often feel like small gods on earth, but they forget to prepare for life after their jobs. In fact, most jobs fail to prepare people for retirement, unless they are corrupt.”
Richard Ssenyonyi added: “It’s indeed shaming to the full force. At such a level I would wish the force to reserve its valued officers for advice here and there. The force should orient it’s soon to retire officers into retirement. These officers need to be taught or enlightened on which ventures to do.”
Edward Kakonge said: “Omara Was Kayihura’s henchman when Kayihura got disposed he was left out. What I know about Afande Omara is! He is a patriotic Ugandan who was used for the wrong reasons. But retirement into private security especially with roles in deployment for security guards is good.”
Simon Ssentongo said: “Police will keep losing more gallant officers if the remuneration remains poor. This is Like football players leaving English premier league to join Saudi Arabia because of better wages.”
But Kitubi Martin disagreed. He said; “Afande Omara qualifies to be called a security expert and Senior Consultant. Him finding a job after retirement is the best thing for anyone with those qualities. If I found a retired teacher recruited by a private school, I would congratulate that teacher.”
Natukunda Isha said: “Why are you sad? Is being deployed in the private sector as a security guard the worst job? Today, most Ugandans are unemployed because they feel they are so important to do certain jobs, which is a very Poor mindset.”
Francis Aniku said: Please it’s our African understanding that we retire to sit, it’s high time we get to understand that retirement means shifting to do other works preferably what you love most. For his case he loves security and he’s right to get back.
