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Former police chief John Cossy Odomel dies at 69
Deceased: Former police boss John Cossy Odomel.
What you need to know:
- At just 37, Odomel was appointed Uganda’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) in 1992, making him the youngest IGP in the country’s history.
John Cossy Odomel, a former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and a long-serving member of Uganda's security forces, has died at the age of 69.
Odomel, who led the Uganda Police Force from April 24, 1992, to January 1, 1999, was a member of the Police Authority at the time of his passing.
His death was announced by the current IGP Abas Byakagaba, who hailed him as a distinguished officer dedicated to service and leadership.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Cossy Odomel, former Inspector General of Police (1992-1998), a distinguished member of the Uganda Police Force who dedicated many years to service and leadership in our organization. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time,” Byakagaba said.
Odomel’s death comes just a week after the passing of another former IGP, Okoth Ogola, who led the force from 1981 to 1985.
A Career in law enforcement
Born in April 1955 in Kameke Village, Pallisa District, Odomel excelled academically, earning a place at Lango College for secondary education before joining Makerere University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Upon completing his degree in 1979, he was recruited as a government chemist but later joined the Uganda Police Force as part of a drive to professionalize the institution following the fall of President Idi Amin’s regime. He was among 26 graduates selected, alongside notable figures such as Security Minister Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi and Gen. (Rtd) David Sejusa.
After initial training in Tanzania, Odomel quickly rose through the ranks, serving in various capacities, including district police commander in Bushenyi and Masaka, and later as a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officer in Tororo and Jinja.
In 1987, he was selected for a trainers’ course at the Police Training School in Kibuli before being promoted to deputy regional police commander for central Uganda. Two years later, he became the regional commander and later headed the police welfare department.
Uganda’s youngest IGP
At just 37, Odomel was appointed Uganda’s Inspector General of Police in 1992, making him the youngest IGP in the country’s history. He was known for his tough stance on corruption, often clashing with fellow officers over his zero-tolerance policy.
His tenure was marked by a notable crackdown on police misconduct, including an order to prosecute officers involved in a robbery incident on Rubaga Road in 1997. The move strained his relationships with senior officers and contributed to growing tensions within the force.
In January 1999, he was dismissed and replaced by his former deputy, John Kisembo.
Post-retirement and final years
After retiring, Odomel attempted to enter politics, contesting for the Pallisa County parliamentary seat in 2006, but lost to Louis Opange. He later challenged the election results in court, unsuccessfully.
President Museveni later appointed him to the Police Authority, the highest decision-making body in the force.
Odomel’s death comes just months after the passing of his wife, Mary Magdalene Odomel, in September last year.
