PRAU mourns fallen Police Mouth Piece, Kaweesi

Kaweesi will be laid to rest in Lwengo this Tuesday

Public Relations practitioners and communication specialists not only in Uganda but across East have mourned the fallen Police Spokesperson AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi. Kaweesi was gunned down on Friday morning near his home in Kulambiro along with his bodyguard and driver as headed to UCU for a career Guidance talk.

The fallen Police chief will be laid to rest on Tuesday at his Ancestral Home at Kyazanga in Lwengo District starting at 12:00 noon. Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) released a statement describing Kaweesi as a mentor.

Official Statement on Afande Kaweesi Death by the Public Relations Association of Uganda

Friday was a very gloomy day for all Public Relations practitioners and communication specialists not only in Uganda, but across the region. Sad because one of the untimely death of one of our own, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi who was shot dead together with his body guard and driver by unknown gunmen as they left for work near his home.

Sad because he was a father, a brother, a peer and also a mentor to many who loved his respectful & engaging approach as he performed the various roles & responsibilities he was assigned within the Uganda Police Force. Many of our members and Ugandans at large looked up to him as an exemplary communicator who was dedicated and passionate about changing the perception of the institution he served loyally.

As PRAU we strongly condemn this criminal act and appeal to our government to do whatever it takes to bring the culprits of this heinous crime and abate any further unnecessary deaths.

Afande Felix Kaweesi, as most of us fondly called him, was very instrumental in building and safe guarding the reputation of the Uganda Police Force. He used every opportunity to demonstrate that it was a strong reputable institution and bridged the gap between it and the general public.

He will be remembered for many things by all Ugandans but to us PRAU members, we will distinctly remember him for engaging with our members through networking events where he would share his diverse knowledge on various topical issues. He was a distinguished and very knowledgeable orator, with a knack for story-telling, often times articulating issues with humility and facts.

We will remember him most memorably for his address to us in May 2015 on the topic; “Combating Terrorism And Insecurity”.  He shared an interesting story of how during his time as the Director of Police Operations, he made an impromptu visit to Namagunga Primary Boarding School to check on his daughter clad in police uniform. To his surprise, many pupils started shouting: “Tear gas! Tear gas! Where is the tear gas?”

He said that this situation was his turning point. He henceforth committed to change the negative perception that was associated with the police force. We can all attest to his achievement on this commitment.

The Public Relations Association of Uganda has lost one of its best at a time when he was needed the most. Our sincere condolences to the government, the family, Uganda Police force, friends and well wishers! May his soul rest in eternal peace!

Cynthia, Mpanga

President – Public Relations Association of Uganda