Over 80 police officers transferred in new reshuffle

By the look of things, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola has started doing work in his new office.

The police human resource directorate headed by AIGP Moses Balimwoyo has transferred a total of 84 junior officers from various stations around the country.

In a message signed by Balimwoyo and dated March 13 copied to various Regional Police Commanders and District Police Commanders around the country, the officers at the ranks of corporal, constable and probation police constables have been transferred to various posts around the country.

The transfers, according to the message take immediate effect.

Last week, there was another reshuffle in which 90 police officers including those perceived to be loyal to the deposed police chief Kayihura were transferred to various posts around the country.

Among those officers loyal to Kayihura who were moved recently included; SP Benard Mugerwa, the former DPC for Kabalagala who was transferred to Butaleja.

Geoffrey Kaheebwa, the former Kampala South deputy regional police commander was also sent to Soroti as DPC whereas Andrew Musiime, who was Kayihura’s personal assistant was deployed to the Filed Force Unit.

Other officers close to the former police boss were also sent to the Police Professional Standards Unit for investigation over various offences committed in the past.

Speaking during his vetting last week, the new Inspector General of Police Ochola reportedly told the the Parliamentary Appointments Committee that on many occasions, junior officers had immense powers than their seniors and could give orders.

In the past, a number of criminals including one Paddy Sserunjogi, a former criminal gang leader confessed that his group was working with some police officers to terrorise the public.

Two senior police officers including the former commanders of the police Special Operations Unit, SSP Nixon Agasiirwe and former PSU commander Joel Aguma are facing charges related to kidnap and forceful repatriation of Rwandese before the army court.

Speaking during the women’s day celebrations in Mityana last week, Museveni said the police had been infiltrated by been weevils which had failed force from fighting the ever increasing criminality in the country.