The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Barely a month after the police authority with the police council expelled and discharged 153 police officers, Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola has appointed regional Professional Standards Unit -PSU commanders.
The new regional PSU chiefs include John Samuel Okodan who has been appointed head for Albertine regional office. Okodan has been serving at PSU headquarters at Crescent road in Bukoto, Nakawa division of Kampala.
Moses Mulooki has been appointed PSU chief for greater Masaka region. Masaka is one of the regions where civilians have often accused police personnel of being corrupt. Policemen in Masaka have been accused of utilizing Covid-19 standard operation procedures to extort money from drivers and motorcyclists.
In July last year, a boda boda rider, Hussein Walugembe set himself ablaze at Masaka regional police headquarters after Sgt Julius Ewalu and Sgt Ibrahim Ssesanga refused to hand him back his motorcycle which they had impounded on allegations of defying curfew time. Mulooki’s immediate task is to ensure all cases of indiscipline and corruption among police officers are detected, investigated and reported to PSU headquarters in Kampala.
John Byarugaba has been moved from Savannah region to Kira as regional PSU officer, Hannington Turiyo has been appointed Rwizi regional PSU officer, Joseph Kabungech has been sent to Wamala region, Hezron Kwesiga to East Kyoga region, Henry Adrati to North West Nile.
Others include Stephen Muhindo Friday who has been appointed Rwenzori East PSU commander, Rashid Ssemugenyi has been sent to Bukedi South, Aloysius Akora has been sent to Savannah region, Silver Tumushabe sent to Kigezi region, John Bosco Oonyu moved to Sipi region and Thomas Otim has been appointed West Nile PSU commander.
Assistant Commissioner of Police-ACP Emmanuel Muheirwe signed the appointments of new PSU heads on behalf of IGP Ochola. The new PSU heads are tasked to ensure every incident of corruption, bribery, extortion, human rights abuse and any other scandalous manner is captured and alerted to headquarters.
Nearly four weeks ago, police authority chaired by Internal Affairs minister Gen Jeje Odongo and Police Council chaired by Ochola expelled, dismissed and discharged 153 of its personnel over corruption and other indiscipline related cases. Out of 153, seventy-three were dismissed on allegations of continuously engaging in corruption and bribery tendencies.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga who read the document dismissing the police officers to journalists said twelve were expelled on grounds that they had continuously behaved in a scandalous manner. Incidents that amount to scandalous manner include drunkenness, theft, robbery and fighting.
“54 officers were discharged from the force for being absent without official leave, neglect of duty, scandalous manner, drunkenness, discreditable or irregular conduct and causing loss togovernment,” Enanga said.
The 73 dismissed officers according to police had repeatedly committed cases that discredited the police institution. Absent from duty without official leave contravenes section 44(1) code 20b of Police Act, discreditable or irregular conduct contravenes 44(1) code 12b, neglect of duty contravenes section 44(1) code 19(c), and drunkenness contravenes section 44(1) code 13 of Police Act.
PSU is currently headed by ACP Sara Kibwika who replaced ACP John Williams Okalany. On average, PSU receives 2,000 complaints related to corruption, bribery, theft, robbery, human right abuses from civilians every year.
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