KAMPALA — Outgoing Minister of Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafiire has publicly criticised sections of the Uganda Police Force, accusing some officers of repeatedly ignoring directives from the ministry and, at times, withholding information from him despite his oversight role.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Thursday, where he officially transferred office to his successor, Ephraim Kamuntu, Otafiire reflected on his tenure and described the Police Force as one of the institutions that caused him the greatest concern.
“I have issues with them, the police. Some of them were not listening. You tell them, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do this,’ and later you hear they have gone ahead and done exactly that,” Otafiire said.
His remarks offer a rare glimpse into tensions between the political leadership of the ministry and the country's largest law enforcement agency, which falls under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
And he was not politicking.
Last December, Otafiire stepped in to end a standoff when police blocked Busoga One Radio’s annual event in Jinja City. The minister ordered security to allow the event to proceed, overturning a decision by Jinja City’s security committee that had halted the gathering over political-period sensitivities.
But the Police ignored the directive of their line minister and blocked the event.
The veteran politician and former bush war fighter said there were occasions when police officers either disregarded guidance from the ministry or failed to provide him with information about sensitive matters.
“You remember, I would call them here and ask, ‘Gentlemen, what happened?’ At one point, they denied me information. What they did not know is that I am an intelligence officer. Everything that was happening, I knew. The difference is that I kept quiet,” he said.
In comments that drew laughter from the audience, Otafiire said he often preferred strategic patience to direct confrontation.
“If you want people to hang themselves, give them enough rope. I knew what was happening and I kept quiet. I allowed events to unfold,” he said.
While critical of sections of the Police Force, Otafiire praised other agencies under the ministry, particularly the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control and the Uganda Prisons Service, which he said had performed well during his tenure.
He strongly defended the leadership of the Immigration Directorate, arguing that officials who have overseen reforms within the institution should be retained to preserve institutional memory and sustain progress.
“Kambere participated in the transformation of the department. They have institutional memory and are responsible officers. When you bring in new people, it takes time for them to learn the system,” he said.
Otafiire revealed that he had previously opposed efforts to replace some immigration officials with personnel transferred from the military, warning that such changes could undermine gains made in service delivery.
“During that period, we could easily slip back to what the department used to be. Since they grew within the department and witnessed the transformation, they are best suited to continue the work,” he said.
The outgoing minister reserved some of his highest praise for the Uganda Prisons Service, which he described as the most stable institution under his supervision.
“I have no problems with prisons. They have been doing very well. It is the department that has given me the least worry and therefore required the least interference from me,” he said.
Throughout his remarks, Otafiire repeatedly defended his leadership philosophy of allowing technical officers and institutions to carry out their responsibilities with minimal political interference.
“My style of leadership has always been simple: do your work. I don’t want to do anybody’s work,” he said.
Addressing Prof Kamuntu, who takes over the ministry following President Yoweri Museveni's recent Cabinet reshuffle, Otafiire expressed confidence in the ministry's technical staff and senior managers.
“Professor, they will help you. I am comfortable with the team here. Some people may be victims of circumstances, but over time things will sort themselves out,” he said.
In one of the more memorable moments of his farewell address, Otafiire urged leaders to exercise patience and strategic thinking, comparing effective leadership to the hunting style of a leopard rather than a lion.
“Learn to hunt like a leopard, not a lion. When you go around announcing that you are a lion, everyone prepares for you. A leopard moves quietly. People do not see it coming. That has always been my style of leadership,” he said.
Otafiire leaves the ministry after overseeing key institutions including the Uganda Police Force, the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, the Uganda Prisons Service and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
His successor, Prof Kamuntu, inherits a ministry at the heart of internal security coordination, immigration management, citizenship administration and prison services, at a time when government continues to pursue reforms in public service delivery and national identification systems.
The handover ceremony was attended by senior government officials, security leaders and ministry staff, who paid tribute to Otafiire's tenure while welcoming Kamuntu to his new role.