Parliament Appointments Committee approved the appointment of Edward Katumba Wamala as Inspector General of Police on May 15, 2001, marking a major turning point in the country’s security leadership.
The approval made Katumba Wamala the first active-duty military officer to head the Uganda Police Force, a move that sparked debate about the growing overlap between the military and civilian policing in Uganda at the time.
During the vetting process, Members of Parliament questioned how a serving army officer would adapt to leading a civilian law enforcement institution.
The committee, chaired by the then Speaker of Parliament Francis Ayume, pressed Katumba Wamala on how he intended to improve the image of the police force, which was facing public criticism following the Sebutinde Commission of Inquiry into corruption in the force.
The committee also approved Julius Odwee as Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Speaking after the approval, Katumba Wamala outlined a reform-focused agenda centred on improving officers’ welfare, raising morale within the force and restoring professionalism.
He said he wanted to combine military discipline with a more community-oriented style of policing.
His tenure as IGP lasted until 2005. He was later succeeded by Kale Kayihura, another military officer, while he returned to the UPDF as Commander of Land Forces.
