100 police officers retired on medical grounds

More than 100 police officers from the ranks of Police Constable to Inspector of Police have been retired on medical grounds.

In a message signed and released by Message Authorising Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Muheirwe, 19 IPs, 21 Sergeants, 23 Corporals and 30 Constables have been retired due to deteriorating health.

The retirement of over 100 police officers has been approved by Directors Human Resource Management and Welfare.

ACP Muheirwe's message contains one officer in the Senior rank category who is Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to Mbarara Central Division Police Station.

Police have retired over 1,000 police officers on medical grounds since 2014 and this has been creating a vacuum in personnel numbers.

Mbale District has eight policemen and women retired on medical grounds, Masaka and Mbarara each has five and Kaberamaido District has four retired police officers, among others.

Man power audit records of 2018 showed more than 2000 police officers were no longer active in the last five years because they were on various medical treatment while over 4000 had deserted in five years.

Although reigning Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola has not released manpower audit report, it was reported by the media that the audit put police numbers at 38,000 police officers way below 44,600 which former IGP Gen Kale Kayihura mentioned in his hand over report.

This is believed to be the reason that prompted Ochola to order for recruitment of 4,500 Probation Police Constables and 500 Learner Assistant Inspectors of Police who are currently undergoing treatment at Kabalye Police Training School in Masindi District.