In a bid to thwart crime across the country, President Yoweri Museveni has deployed four senior army officers to key positions in the Uganda Police Force.
On Tuesday evening, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martins Okoth Ochola, sent a message to all units and directors, announcing appointments and secondment of the UPDF officers into the force (UPF).
There are five senior army officers in the top Police leadership, with one of them, Maj. Gen. Muzeeyi Sabiiti, serving as the Police number two — deputy Inspector General of Police. In the message, Ochola said the President had appointed and seconded the officers to UPF in different positions and they are all designated Assistant IGPs.
Ochola also announced the appointment of one of the officers, Brig. Jack Bakasumba as the Chief of Joint Staff (CJS), a newly created position in the force.
Brig. Godfrey Golooba was appointed as the Director of Human Resource Development and Training, replacing AIGP Haruna Isabirye. Golooba has been the in-charge training at the Junior Staff College in Jinja.
Isabirye has since been seconded as the Police attaché to Uganda’s mission in New York, US. Col Jesse Kamunanwire has been appointed Director Human Resource Administration, replacing AIGP Moses Balimwoyo, who has been the longest-serving officer in the position.
Balimwoyo has since been appointed the Director Interpol and International Relations. He will be deputized by SCP Amur Chombe. Until yesterday, Senior Commissioner of Police Benon Oyo Nyeko was the acting director Interpol, months after AIGP Fred Yiga retired from active service.
Nyeko has been sent to Afripols headquarters in Algeria, as Police Liaison officer, a position previously occupied Jonathan Baroza, now a fugitive. Col Chris Sserunjogi Damulira has been appointed Director of Crime Intelligence, which has been under Amur Chombe.
“The process of formalizing the appointment of the UPDF officers is in progress. DIGP (Sabiiti) will preside at the handing over ceremonies once the formalities have been completed,” Ochola said. Impeccable Police sources said Brig. Bakasumba, will take over the duties of the force’s under-secretary, Rodgers Muhirwa.
The appointment of four senior military officers to the top leadership of the Police is unprecedented. Explaining the latest appointments, security sources said Police is undergoing restructuring process and the officers have been deployed for the purpose.
“Police will remain with only four directorates out of the 19. They are Human Resource, Operations, CID and Chief of Joint Staff,” said the source.
Explaining why the President continues to deploy army officers in Police, the defense and army spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemeire, said the UPDF has had some time to build the human resource, including mid and senior level leadership cadres, unlike the Police Force which, according to him, has gaps.