By Hanning Mbabazi
Kampala: Following the latest Changes in the Uganda Police Force, The Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola transferred a total of 86 police officers from their respective positions to new ones.
In two separate messages dated July 12 to all police units across the country, Ochola made the transfers that he said were to be taken with immediate effect. “The following transfers or appointments are ordered with immediate effect,” reads in part one of the messages to all police units.
The changes had a number of Regional Police Commanders transferred to new regions as one of the ways meant to strengthen security all over the country.
Accordingly, among those transferred include Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Egesa. He was transferred from Kigezi to Rwizi as RPC and Senior Superintendent of Police Eddi Ssenyonjo was also transferred to Kigezi from Greater Bushenyi region.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Wesley Naganizi who were the Regional Police Commander for Kampala North was moved to Elgon region whereas Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzafaru Zirabamuzaale who had no deployment was appointed as the Kampala Metropolitan Area Police operations commander.
The Traffic Police directorate headed by AIGP Steven Kasiima was the most affected during the latest changes in the force.
A number of Regional Traffic Officers were transferred to various areas by the new changes in the police force.
ASP Irene Chelengat who was the Regional Traffic Officer for Kampala Metropolitan North has been transferred to Bukedi whereas ASP Elia Kamugisha from Bugiri was transferred to Kampala Metropolitan North as the Regional Traffic Officer.
The changes also left a number of police officers in the Criminal Investigations Division transferred from various stations to others.
“Proper handing over and taking over should be made,” the messages further add.
Since taking over as the police chief in 2018, Martin Okoth Ochola has made a number of changes and re-organisations in the police force aimed at streamlining the force that President Museveni a few years ago described as being infiltrated by criminals.
Speaking to members of the Parliamentary Appointments Committee, Ochola said the police force died the day Gen.Edward Katumba Wamala left the force as IGP in 2005.
The new police chief was seen reversing a number of reshuffles that had been effected by his predecessor, Gen.Kale Kayihura.
A number of people have always argued that many police commanders have overstayed in their positions which has stagnated work but Ochola has tackled the same by transferring them to other areas.
