The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola has promoted more than three thousand lower rank policemen and women.
The elevation of lower rank personnel was last held in February 2016 during the term of General Kale Kayihura. A number of officers have been expressing disappointment with police leadership for not conducting promotions despite Police Council having recommended for resumption of the exercise in 2019.
Some lower rank police personnel can now have a smile after police spokesperson Fred Enanga revealed that Ochola had promoted 3,097 police personnel to various ranks.
“We would like to inform the public that the IGP in exercising delegated powers from His Excellency the President, has promoted 3,097 subordinate officers to various ranks,” Enanga said in a statement.
The ranks mentioned in the statement include Inspector of Police (IP), Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP), Sergeant (SGT) and Corporal (CPL). Out of the promoted officers, 2,566 are male while 531 are female.
Enanga explains that promotion was based on performance, current responsibility, leadership abilities, command abilities, time spent on rank, discipline, patriotism and integrity. Other considerations are length of service in the force, level of education, career courses attended, record of service and physical fitness among others.
“We want to add that out of a grand total of 11,823 subordinated police officers recommended for promotion to the next rank by their territorial commanders, 3,097 were successfully vetted in consideration of the key parameters indicated above,” Enanga added.
Police have promoted 336 officers from the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) to Inspector of Police (IP). The promoted officers according to Appointments Committee had stayed on the rank for 10 years and above. Other AIPs had served in the force for 32 years but with nine years on the rank of AIP plus officers from formed units were successfully vetted.
At least 404 officers have been promoted from the rank of Sergeant to AIP and those promoted had stayed on the rank of Sgt for 10 years and above. The police officers with 31 years experience who had spent nine years on the rank of Sgt, plus officers in formed units and specialized units, were successfully vetted.
Enanga explains that the police force embraces promotions as a key priority because it strengthens command and control, addresses career growth of personnel and also acts as recognition factor or reward for good performance which improves morale and motivates staff.
Corporals promoted to sergeant are 1,099 and had stayed on the rank for at least nine years whereas 1,258 police constables have also been promoted to the rank of corporal. The promoted constables had served for at least 14 years and above.
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