By Hanning Mbabazi
Kampala: The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Okoth Ochola, this afternoon welcomed Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) officers who were appointed to police as directors by president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on Tuesday.
According to the new changes, AIGP Moses Balimwoyo was replaced by Col. Jesse Kamunanwire as Director Human Resource and Administration, AIGP Haruna Isabirye who was the police director in charge of Human Resources and Development was replaced by Brig. Godfrey Golooba, Senior Commissioner of Police Godfrey Chombe who was the director in charge of Crime Intelligence was replaced by Col. Ddamulira Sserunjogi, who had been serving as deputy director in charge of counter terrorism in the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). Brig. Jack Bakasumba, who was serving as the Commander Peace Support Operations Training Centre in Singo, Nakaseke District, was sent to police as the chief of joint staff.
In a statement released by the Force on Wednesday, Ochola said the deployment of army officers in police comes at a time when there is an increasing convergence of policing and military doctrines and better partnership in addressing security concerns around the country. “We thank our counterparts UPDF for not denying us the opportunity to utilize their officers who will oversee three out of the 19 directorates in the police,” Ochola said.
“We look forward to the wealth of knowledge and experience they bring along with them that will help provide top quality policing service to the staff and the wider public.”
However, a number of people have raised concern over the new deployments in the police force, with many accusing President Museveni of militarizing the force. But according to Ochola, these changes bring a great wealth of knowledge to law enforcement body that will help build capacity.
“Some of the areas where police has drawn best practices from the UPDF include intelligence gathering, supervision, and discipline, handling highly risky and confrontational situations.” Ochola noted. He also revealed that as the police force continues to improve, a number of reforms are taking place including expansion of the community policing model, training and re-training of officers and use of modern technology, the deployment of army officers in police would be of great benefit.
