Uganda’s first female police officer dies at 85

Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana, the first woman to join the Uganda Police Force has died at 85 years of age.
News about her death has been revealed by Director of Criminal Investigations Department at Parliament Police, ASP Charles Twiine.

“Iconic Rtd. Superintendent of Police Pauline Bangirana,Uganda’s 1st female Police officer, has passed on! She broke barriers in 1961 & paved the way for women in law enforcement!,” ASP Charles Twiine revealed.

ASP Charles Twiine wished the Uganda Police to honor her legacy and accord her an official burial.
However, the cause of her death has not been revealed and burial arrangements will be communicated later.
Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana joined the Uganda Police Force in 1960, as part of the pioneer cohort of 10 women and her first posting was in the Traffic Department.

She has since served as the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Central Police Station, DPC (District Police Commander) Old Kampala, and Officer in Charge, Nsambya Barracks.
In 1964, Pauline was posted to the criminal investigations department where she investigated the ‘Okoya Murders’, in which Idi Amin was the main suspect. She also handled the investigation case of Archbishop Janan Luwum’s murder.
In her autobiography: “To be Shrewd Without Appearing a Shrew”, Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana shared her knowledge of the evolution of security services in Uganda from her own experience, including what had been going wrong with security and Police since Independence.