By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni has initiated a significant reshuffle within the Uganda Police Force by promoting Senior Commissioner of Police (SCP) Joseph Obwana to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), the highest rank in the institution. This promotion also confirms Obwana as the substantive Director of the National Central Bureau (Interpol-Uganda), a position he had been holding in an acting capacity since the retirement of AIGP Grace Akullo five months ago.
Obwana is not the only officer elevated to the AIGP rank. Four other SCPs have also been promoted, consolidating the leadership of critical police departments:
- James Opora, who had been serving as acting director of logistics and engineering, is now the substantive head following the retirement of AIGP Richard Edyegu.
- Lawrence Niwabiine, formerly the acting director of the Traffic Police Directorate, has been confirmed as the full director.
- Stephen, acting director of Fire and Rescue Services, has been promoted and confirmed in his role.
- Geoffrey Musana, deputy director of logistics and engineering, now holds the rank of AIGP.
These promotions bring the total number of officers holding the AIGP rank in 2024 to 12, reflecting a growing emphasis on building a robust leadership framework within the force.
The promotions come on the heels of an earlier wave in September, where Museveni elevated several officers to strengthen key operational and administrative roles. These included:
- Frank Mwesigwa, now Director of Operations Service.
- Moses Kafeero, Director of Human Resource Development.
- Felix Baryamwisaki, Director of Information Communication Technology.
- Hadijah Namutebi, Director of Welfare and Production.
- Charles Kataratambi, Head of the Legal Directorate.
- David Waswa, Director of Counter-Terrorism Police.
- Ubaldo Wasswa, Director of the Political Commissariat.
The recent promotions underscore Museveni’s strategic effort to reinvigorate the Uganda Police Force by prioritizing efficiency and continuity in critical departments. The confirmed appointments eliminate interim leadership, fostering stability and allowing officers to focus on their mandates without uncertainties.
