End of an Era: Uganda’s First Female Police Officer Pauline Bangirana Dies at 85

Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana, a retired Superintendent of Police and the first woman to join the Uganda Police Force, has passed away at the age of 85.

Her death was confirmed by ASP Charles Twiine, head of the Criminal Investigations Department at Parliament Police, who acknowledged her significant contributions to Uganda’s law enforcement history.

“She broke barriers in 1960 and paved the way for women in law enforcement. I hope the Uganda Police honors her legacy with an official burial,” ASP Twiine posted on X, tagging Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

Details regarding the cause of her death and the location where she passed away were not immediately available.

Bangirana, alongside another woman identified as Ms. Rukidi, was among the first two female recruits to join the Uganda Police Force in 1960. They were later joined by eight more women, forming the pioneering group of female officers in what had been a male-dominated force.

One of the last surviving members of that trailblazing cohort, Bangirana often spoke about the challenges she and her fellow female officers faced. Among the most significant hurdles were restrictions on marriage and pregnancy.

In her 2022 autobiography, To Be Shrewd Without Appearing a Shrew, she detailed the stringent rules that required female officers to seek permission to marry and stipulated that pregnancy would result in dismissal.

After marrying in 1965 with official approval, Bangirana had to fight for her right to remain in the police force when she became pregnant. Her superior, known as ‘Sir Richard,’ recommended her resignation, citing Police Standing Order Chapter 3, which mandated that pregnant policewomen either resign voluntarily or face dismissal.

Determined to challenge the policy, Bangirana directly appealed to then-Inspector General of Police Erinayo Wilson Oryema, arguing that she had followed the proper procedures and should not be penalized for pregnancy. Oryema granted her 36 days of annual leave and an additional 90 days of unpaid leave, a decision that marked a turning point in improving conditions for women in law enforcement.

During her career, Bangirana noted that female officers were primarily assigned cases involving women and children, such as taking statements from rape victims and searching female suspects. However, she was proud of how the situation evolved over time, with women now holding senior command positions in the Uganda Police Force.

She lived to see female officers fully integrated into the force, taking on leadership roles and rising through the ranks—progress she attributed to the resilience of the early female recruits who pushed back against gender-based restrictions.

Bangirana’s legacy is one of perseverance and progress for women in law enforcement. Her passing marks the end of an era in Uganda’s policing history. Calls for the Uganda Police Force to accord her an official burial in recognition of her contributions continue to grow.