New IGP on left Abbas Byakagaba and his Deputy James Ochaya or right.
By George Bukenya
The Democratic Party (DP) has urged President Museveni to reconsider his decision of appointing retired AIGP Abbas Byakagaba as the new Inspector General of Police on grounds that he is not still a serving officer in the Police Forces.
Speaking to reporters at the party offices at City House in Kampala, the acting party spokesperson Ismail Kirya called the President to pick from the still serving officers who are still in the serving age bracket because this will encourage junior officers to work had for promotions.
Kirya who also double as the Uganda Young Democrat President said that this is a huge blunder that President Museveni made also to bring back Frank Mwesigwa in the Directorate of Operations whom he said has no professional code of conduct, accusing him of man handling a presidential candidate in the 2021 general election campaign.
Although there are still few Army officers heading Directorates in Police Forces, DP hailed the president for realizing that there’s a need to leave the profession police officers to lead their fellow policemen.
On Friday 17th, May, 2024 President Museveni announced the appointment of Abbasi Byakagaba as the new IGP replacing Martin Ocoth Ochola who retired in March this year and he is to be deputized by James Ochaya.
Other changes in the forces’ high command include the following: AIGP Nuwagira John- Director Field Force Unit, AIGP Twaruhuukwa Erasmus – Director Research and Planning, AIGP Kaali Fadhil- Director Fire and Rescue Services SCP Wasswa David- Director Counter Terrorism SCP Kafeero Moses- Director Human Resource Development and Training ,SCP Mwesigwa Frank- Director Operations,SCP Namutebi Hadijja-Director Welfare and Production, SCP Kataratambi Charles- Director Human Rights and Legal Services, SCP Bamunoba Ubaldo- Chief Political Commissar, SCP Baryamwisaki Felix- Director ICT.
In a press statement issued by Fred Enanga the Forces spokesperson, the former Deputy IGP who has been serving as IGP since Ochola left in March Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi goes back to the UPDF for redeployment same case with Brig. Golooba Godfrey while Maj. Gen. Kandiho Abel, was redeployed to the President’s Office as a Senior Presidential Advisor.
He also indicated that all other affected police officers, will be re-assigned other duties by the new Inspector General of Police.