By Benson Tumusiime
Kampala: Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Fred Yiga has handed over the office of director in charge of Interpol and international relations, to a new officer.
Yiga’s contract that had been extended for one year expired early this year and he opted not to renew it. Senior Commissioner of police SCP Benson Oyo Nyeko, who has been Yiga’s deputy, was early this week appointed as the director in charge of Interpol. Speaking at the handover ceremony on Friday at Interpol headquarters in Kololo, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj.Gen. Muzeeyi Sabiiti applauded Yiga for the 32 years of dedicated service to the Uganda Police Force. “I wish to congratulate you for the job well done. Your service record has been excellent, innovative and a committed officer that we shall miss as a force,” Maj. Gen. Sabiti said. He said as a servant of the people, AIGP Yiga has put a smile on faces of many people, adding that while at Interpol; he has helped in fighting human trafficking and other transnational crimes that are rampant.
To the incoming Interpol Director, SCP Benson Oyo-nyeko, Sabiiti said the efforts of the outgoing director should not die in vain. “We have to continue being organized so as to win the fight against transnational crimes. Take on the mantle from where he has stopped. I am leaving here when I am happy because I know it is change of guards from one good man to another equally good officer,” Maj. Gen. Sabiiti said. In his farewell message, Yiga said he is happy with the state he is leaving the Interpol directorate in, because they have made the right collaborations that will ensure the fight against cross border crimes continues. “We have made great strides but my successor should work hard to stop human trafficking which remains a thorn in the flesh. We can’t sit and watch as it continues,” AIGP Yiga said.
He also urged that more effort should be put in place to ensure Interpol’s certificates of good conduct are not forged. Oyo Nyeko however noted he would take on the mantle from where his predecessor has left off. “For now I don’t have many words but my commitment is to bring to an end to the suffering of our people. Vehicle theft and human trafficking will be my first priorities while fighting cross border crimes,” Oyo Nyeko said.
