IGP Ochola welcomes army officers deployed to police as directors
The Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola has welcomed the UPDF officers seconded to police as directors by President Museveni.
In the changes effected on Tuesday evening, four UPDF officers were seconded to the Police force as directors replacing the old police guards who have been given other assignments.
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In a statement released by the force on Wednesday, Ochola said the deployment of army officers into Police comes at a time when there is an increasing convergence of policing and military doctrines and better partnership in addressing security concerns around the country.
“We thank our counterparts UPDF for not denying us the opportunity to utilize their officers who will oversee three out of the 19 directorates in the police,”Ochola said.
“We look forward to the wealth of knowledge and experience they bring along with them that will help provide top quality policing service to the staff and the wider public.”
A number of people have raised concern over the new deployments in the police force, with many accusing President Museveni of militarizing the force but according to Ochola, these bring a great wealth of knowledge to law enforcement body that will help build capacity.
“Some of the areas where police has drawn best practices from the UPDF include intelligence gathering, supervision, and discipline, handling highly risky and confrontational situations.”
He said that as the police force continues to improve, a number of reforms are taking place including expansion of the community policing model, training and re-training of officers and use of modern technology, the deployment of army officers in police would be of great benefit.
The changes
The transfers announced on Tuesday evening saw AIGP Moses Balimwoyo replaced by Col.Jesse Kamunanwire as the Director Human Resource and Administration whereas AIGP Haruna Isabirye, who has been the police director in charge of Human Resource and Development by Brig.Godfrey Golooba.
Senior Commissioner of Police, Godfrey Chombe who has been the director in charge of Crime Intelligence was replaced by Col. Ddamulira Sserunjogi.
Col.Sserunjogi has been serving as the deputy director in charge of counter terrorism in the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), the intelligence wing of the Ugandan army.
The new changes also saw Brig.Jack Bakasumbawho who has been serving as the commander Peace Support Operations Training Centre in Singo, Nakaseke district sent to police as the chief of joint staff.
