Kayihura to Kaweesi: Don’t be disgruntled

JINJA.

The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, used the passout of senior police officers in Jinja on Wednesday to offer a lengthy explanation as to why he moved the former director of operations in the Force, Mr Andrew Kaweesi, to the less active department of human resource.

While Gen Kayihura insisted that he did not demote the flamboyant Assistant Inspector General of Police, he hinted that he was “all over news and media outlets.”

“I know Kaweesi is a teacher by profession, he has more than enough experience as far as management and personnel are concerned. I believe he will steer our personnel to the required standard,” Gen Kayihura said.

The IGP perhaps gauging from the public mood since Kaweesi’s transfer, told Mr Kaweesi, who was in the audience at the Non-Commission Officers Academy, at Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja, not to feel that he was relegated. The police chief, however, hinted that the roving police commander had become like the maverick former Nansana DPC Muhammed Kirumira “who was always in the news.”

“Don’t be disgruntled by those who say I demoted you simply because you’re no longer in the news. Being in the news every day doesn’t mean that one is working very hard,” Gen Kayihura said.

The IGP transferred Mr Kaweesi from the directorate of operations to that of human resource in July. Many observers perceived it as a demotion of an officer who had quickly risen through the ranks.

In a similar way, the IGP castigated former Nansana Division police commander (DPC) Muhammad Kirumira for rushing to the media whenever he got administrative challenges.

“Kirumira had become the talk of the day. He liked being in the news all the time. I think it was because he was lacking administrative skills. I was forced to take him for a refresher course and he is now doing very well at the border in Kasese,” the IGP said.

Mr Kirumira was cast in the limelight last year over his unorthodox means of battling crime, including physically running after suspected criminals. This kind of determination endeared him to residents in places he was deployed to.

He was, however, controversially detained at Nsambya Police Barracks on allegations of having solicited a bribe from suspects, something he vehemently denied and said was the handiwork of the terror-groups and thugs whose networks he bust in his operations.

Meanwhile, Gen Kayihura branded the Busoga East region police commander, Mr Edgar Nabongo and his junior officer, as cowards. The IGP was referring to the incident where one of the private guards of former prime minister Amama Mbabazi allegedly manhandled the officers in the scuffle that ensued as police dispersed a planned rally in Jinja on September 11.

“It was very shameful to see two trained police officers being manhandled by one man. I now direct those officers to be recruited for refresher training because they seem to be unfit and lacking operational skills,” Gen Kayuhura said.

More than 386 police officers were passed out at UPDF training school after completing various courses. Of these, 188 officers graduated in basic course, 157 were non-commissioned officers whereas 21 were UPDF officers who graduated in military and acrobatic skills.

police trainees allowed visitors

For the first time, The Uganda Police Force have allowed police recruits, who are still undergoing training, to be visited by their families before completion of their mandatory nine-month course.

Relatives of 5,500 trainees, including cadets and probation police constables, are expected to visit them at Masindi Police Training School this Saturday.

A police instructor told Daily Monitor that the new arrangement will give trainees and their relatives relief after months of living apart. Deputy police spokesperson Polly Namaye, confirmed the shift on the school policy.

The recruits started training in May. During military training, trainees are denied contact with the outside world as well as rights to use mobile phone.
By Andrew Bagala
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