Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda police has condemned the use of its traffic image, as content in a controversial commercial advert, of a juice, popularly known as “JESA JUS”.
They have now demand that the commercial firm, pulls out the traffic police content or the entire advert, and halts any further displays on TV, radios and other digital platforms.
“We urge all intending marketers and Ad producers to always seek authorization or usage of the police image and content before producing a commercial advert,” Police spokesman Fred Enanga said.
According to Enanga, the TV Ad, deceptively suggests that a traffic officer, during a normal traffic enforcement routine, stopped a driver for inspection. But is immediately compromised, with a pack of JESA JUS, by the panicky driver and children, after which he left them to proceed without inspection in his words “You can go”, after taking the “JESA JUS”.
He said the advert made reference to the traffic police, as being corrupt and easily bribed by “JESA JUS”. The driver is seen, allegedly bribing a traffic officer with a packet of JESA JUS in front of children and lets them off the hook.
“It therefore, draws a link between the traffic officer, the driver and children. The driver and children are depicted as traffic violators, ” said Enanga.
Enanga protested that it also promoted acts of bribery among children that you can easily buy your way out, once caught up in a compromising situation and reinforces negative perceptions by children against police.
“The appearance of a lookalike traffic officer and the use of the police uniform without the express permission of the IGP is strictly prohibited, since it is fully gazetted,” he charged
Enganga said the advert deceptively suggests that the police leadership endorses the product of “JESA JUS” and further supports, the campaign to market, sell and drink the product, which is not true.
