Inspector General of Police- IGP Martins Okoth-Ochola has handed over office following the expiry of his contract.
Police made the revelation at a press conference on Monday March 4th 2024. “We wish to inform the public that the outgoing IGP handed over the office to the Deputy Inspector of Police Major General Tumusiime Katsigazi who is the receiving officer pending the appointment of the inspector general of police,” Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said.
Mr. Ochola said in his speech that on 2nd January 2024, I made a service record of thirty-six years in the Uganda Police Force, having joined the Institution on the 2nd January 1988. Within this period, which was climaxed by my appointment as Inspector General of Police, I was particularly fortunate to have served as a Deputy IGP, Director Special Duties, Director CID, Deputy Director CID, Commissioner Legal Department, Head complaints desk, Head Prosecution and OC Entebbe Aviation Security.
“On the 4th March 2018, His Excellency The President appointed me as the Inspector General of Police which position I assumed with humility, commitment, dedication and determination. Three years after my appointment, the President extended my tour of duty for another three years which ends today, the 4th March 2024.
“When I took over the steering of affairs of this great Institution at about this time exactly 6 years ago, the task was clear – Professionalizing and Rebuilding the image of the Institution.
“Anchoring on teamwork, support and guidance from the President and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we were able to register numerous achievements in policing as well as creating a general atmosphere of calmness, togetherness and a sense of belonging we are witnessing today.
“The numerous achievements spelt out in my handover report and by the various Directorates, were made possible working with a wonderful team and dedicated officers, across all ranks, who gave their best in ensuring that the Institution succeeded in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
“Prior to this occasion, on 3rd January 2024, I wrote to the Honorable Minister of Internal Affairs/Chairman Police Authority requesting to conclude my tour of duty due to personal and domestic issues that require my personal attention.
“Today, I am delighted to be standing before you this day to give my stewardship report and handover leadership of this great Institution to the new Inspector General of Police.
“First and foremost, allow me express my deep personal appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and the Commander in- Chief of the Armed Forces, for appointing and entrusting me with the leadership of this great Institution.
“I want to take a moment to thank his leadership and support during my time in office. It has been a great honour to serve under his guidance as Commander- in- Chief.
“His vision for a safer and more secure Uganda, devoid of violence and crime has been inspirational not only to me alone but other Police officers as well.
“Distinguished guests, I also want to deeply thank the Uganda Police Authority under the able leadership of the Honourable Minister of Internal Affairs for its skillful efforts in supervising and guiding the Police Management over the past 6 years.
“To my fellow current service chiefs, our predecessors, serving and retired Police officers across all ranks and designations, civilian staff working with the Uganda Police and other officers working with sister security Agencies over and over again, I say a big thank you to all for your time, resources and contribution in securing our country during my term of service.
“I had a great team of Police Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) members that I have chaired for the past six years. Indeed, they have been great in fulfilling the assignments accorded to them by the Police Council. To the committee heads, you were wonderful and gave your best. I appreciate you all.
“Similarly, I applaud the Police Council Delegates that I have chaired for the same period. They all came out, attended meetings, made good presentations, deliberations and gave their time whenever required. Consequently, and working as a team, we were able to review the Force’s policies, assess implementation levels and formulated strategies to overcome the dynamic policing demands of the ever-changing environment.
“To the PAC and Police Council members and Delegates, I say a big thank you once again.
“I want to thank the development partners and other several stakeholders in fighting crime that include, among others; JLOS, Parliament, UHRC, media fraternity and all the people of Uganda, for your cooperation and support. We truly value your contribution and thanks for praising us when we needed to be praised and thanks for criticizing us when we needed to be criticized.
“Countless thanks to my family for their understanding and support throughout my service in the Uganda Police Force.
“Distinguished guests, not all Institutional challenges could be solved in the six years of my tenure. Therefore, there are other unfinished critical issues that hinder professional policing which the new administration can accomplish. Some are outlined in this handover report.
“Finally, as I step into the next chapter of my life, I carry with me the fond memories of our accomplishments. May the UPF continue to be a beacon of excellence and a force for positive change in the enforcement of law and order.
T’o my successor and the incoming team, congratulations to you all. I wish you monumental success as you steer this Institution to another level.
“l say goodbye to everyone and I wish you all and your families the best in life and God’s blessings.
“Long live Uganda; Long live Uganda Police Force; Long Live Everyone. “Thank you very much. “J.M. Okoth-Ochola, (ESQ) Out-going Inspector General of Police
Ochola has served his second term of three years ever since he replaced Gen Edward Kale Kayihura on March 4, 2018.
However, Ochola did not reportedly write to the Police Authority chaired by the Minister for Internal Affairs seeking renewal of his contract, yet this was supposed to be done within six months of the expiry of the reigning contract.
Sources say Ochola had informed some of the career top senior police officers that he was not be seeking renewal of his contract.
“When his first term of IGP was about to end on March 4, 2021, he wrote to the police authority in November 2020 expressing interest in having his contract renewed. Gen Jeje Odong [the minister for internal affairs] forwarded his contract renewal application to the President and it was renewed. But this time he hasn’t done it,” a senior police source said.
Sources added that Ochola also informed his line minister Maj Gen (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire that he would be retiring in a few weeks to come. However, Simon Peter Mundeyi, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs said: “I have not heard about this.
Debates have now started on who will be his successor among the current 13 career top police officers at the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police- AIGP.
The career most senior police officers who are prospects for appointment of IGP include Francis Xavier Rwego who is currently the Interpol Special Representative to AU, Abas Byakagaba director Counter-Terrorism, Joseph Mugisa director fire and rescue services, John Ndungutse Ngaruye attaché Uganda’s high commission Nairobi, Grace Akullo director Interpol-Uganda, Erasmus Twaruhukwa director human rights and legal services, Moses Byaruhanga director health services, and Haruna Isabirye UN permanent officer New York.
Other career police AIGPs that can be appointed as IGP include Richard Edyegu director logistics and engineering, Charles Birungi director welfare and production, James Ocaya director research and planning, John Nuwagira director operations and Fadhil Kaali director field force police.
Nonetheless, there are five military Generals currently serving in the police who can also be appointed as IGP. These include Maj Gen Geoffrey Katsigazi Tumusiime who is currently deputizing Ochola, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho chief of joint staff, Brig Gen Christopher Damulira director crime intelligence, Brig Gen Jesse Kamunanwire director human resource administration, Brig Gen Godfrey Golooba director human resource development as well Maj Tom Magambo heading the criminal investigations directorate.
In his six years as IGP, Ochola has had three deputies who include Maj Gen Sabiiti Stephen Muzeeyi, later Lt Gen Paul Lokech and now Maj Gen Tumusiime. Ochola served as deputy to Gen Kayihura and he was elevated to IGP while Maj Gen Sabiiti was appointed his deputy on March 4, 2018. Lt Gen Lokech had served as deputy to Ochola for only eight months at the time of his death in August 2021.
If Museveni appoints a military General to become IGP, he or she will the third to head police under NRM’s nearly 40 years rule after Gen Edward Katumba Wamala who served as IGP from 2001 to 2005 and then Gen Kayihura from 2005 to 2018.
