Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura this week marked four years as police boss with a surprising admission; that keeping law and order is much harder than being in the army.

Gen. Kayihura, whose contract was renewed last year to 2011, has had an eventful stint as the second consecutive soldier to lead the police force, including repeatedly-denied allegations that he was militarising the force.

"I am from the military and I used to think that the army was difficult," Gen. Kayihura, who was appointed in October 2005, said on Sunday "but policing! I tell you that if anybody thinks that I am dying to be in police they are mistaken. If you take me out of the police, you would have saved me.

"Policing isn't easy," the police boss said as he accepted the Bishop Vincent McCauley Award, given to people who contribute greatly to the wellbeing of humanity.

It is not clear whether Gen. Kayihura's comments were related to recent public speculation that his stint as police boss could end prematurely.

Tough times

Gen. Kayihura has, since his appointment to lead the police, been at loggerheads with some older Police officers, whom he recently described as "malwa drinkers".

While disgruntled members of the police old guard accuse him of passing them over and appointing his lieutenants to key positions, Gen. Kayihura accuses them of incompetence and makes no apologies for the massive changes he has made.

In his speech, Gen. Kayihura said unlike in the army where there is a clear enemy, in policing you deal with a different kind of opponent.

Gen. Kayihura described the award given to him as an encouragement to do "good" in a very difficult world. "It is energising. We shall draw out the best. You have given us a challenge," he said.

While handing over the award at Bishop McCauley House in Nsambya,

Rev. Fr. James Burasa described Gen. Kayihura as a "missionary of justice".

He said: "You are an officer who does not sit on his desk all the time. You are out in the field, on the ground meeting people, listening to their concerns and following it up with action. You are a missionary of justice especially for the weak in society."