The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The halting of promotions in the Uganda Police Force is led to an increase in the number of officers in acting positions.
It is exactly five years and two months since the police promoted its officers. Three of the five years have been under the stewardship of, Martin Okoth Ochola, as Inspector-General of Police.
Ochola was elevated to Deputy IGP on March 4, 2018, replacing, Gen Kale Kayihura, who had been at the helm of the force for more than 12 years. Ochola, last month completed his first three full years and he is now serving his second term.
Police last held promotions in February 2016 under the leadership of Gen Kayihura. But in the period where police promotions have not been held, several senior police officers who were serving in critical positions such as directors, deputy directors, commissioners in charge of departments and units have since retired and have been replaced with officers of much lower ranks.
As a result, there have increasing numbers of police officers serving in an acting capacity something that distorts police command structure. Some of the retired directors include AIGP Stephen Kasiima who was heading traffic but was replaced with CP Bazir Mugisha and it is now occupied by CP Lawrence Niwabiine as acting director.
Logistics Director, Godfrey Bangirana, was forced out of office after the expiry of his contract and this position is occupied by Senior Commissioner Richard Edyegu as acting commissioner.
The Directorate of Forensic Sciences –DFS is headed by a mere Superintendent, Andrew Mubiru, yet it is supposed to be superintended by a person at the level of AIGP. Mubiru is five ranks below the rank of AIGP to serve as a full director.
Interpol Director, Hajji Moses Balimwoyo, retired about seven months ago. The directorate is currently headed by Senior Commissioner Charles Birungi who is a rank below AIGP.
The Directorate of ICT is headed by Commissioner Felix Baryamwisaki as acting director and he is two ranks below the AIGP rank which a person occupying the office must possess. Senior Commissioner James Ocaya is heading research and planning as acting director.
Criminal Investigations Directorate –CID is also in the confusion as it has several officers serving in an acting capacity. The general crimes desk is headed by Superintendent, Topher Gimei, yet it is supposed to be occupied by a Commissioner.
The homicide department is headed by Superintendent Agaba Monday as acting commissioner, narcotics department is headed by Superintendent Tinka Zarugaba as acting Commissioner, political and electoral offences department is headed by Senior Superintendent Henry Mugumya as acting Commissioner, Cyber investigations department is headed by Assistant Superintendent while anti-corruption and economic is department is headed by Assistant Commissioner.
In November 2019, the police council resolved that promotions should resume. The plan was to promote more than 500 senior police officers in the first quarter of 2020 but this did not happen.
Police officers had gained hope early last year when Chief Political Commissar AIGP Asan Kasingye, revealed that money had been allocated for promotions and wages bills for new ranks. Kasingye also indicated that police would move to fill stricture in command through promotions.
Senior Superintendent Rose Nahyuha who is the acting commissioner for women affairs says that female police officers are very much concerned about promotions and they often ask her why promotions are not being held.
Out of 28 police regions, it is only Savannah that is headed by Assistant Commissioner. The rest are either Senior Superintendent of Police or Superintendent of Police. Police structure indicates that an RPC must be of ACP rank.
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This issue isn’t confined to the police force; it’s pervasive in other sectors like education and healthcare. Recently, teachers applying for deputy and head teacher positions were evaluated, but the most qualified candidates were rejected because they couldn’t raise a bribe of 7-15 million. Conversely, less qualified candidates secured the positions by paying the bribe. These flawed and corrupt vetting and interview processes render them ineffective. However, the steps being taken by the IGP are correct. Similarly, in the healthcare sector, medical assistants are often denied opportunities if they can’t pay the required bribe, regardless of their qualifications. This corruption is widespread across various fields.