Minister Otafiire Urges New Police Leadership to Focus on Law and Trust

The Minister of Internal Affairs, General Kahinda Otafiire, has urged the newly appointed police leadership to shift their focus from targeting opposition political parties to enforcing the law and addressing misconduct.

General Otafiire made these remarks while presiding over the handover ceremony of the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, and his Deputy, DIGP James Ocaya, at a function held at the police headquarters in Naguru.

In his speech, General Otafiire emphasized that opposition political parties are legally recognized following the referendum for multi-party politics. He highlighted the importance of allowing these parties to exercise their freedoms without undue interference.

“You should contain them and the violators of the law but don't beat Kyagulanyi, Besigye, and others,” General Otafiire stated. He added that while he has no objection to demonstrations as long as they are non-violent, the police should guide demonstrators to appropriate venues to avoid inconveniencing the public.

Minister Otafiire also challenged the new police leadership to work towards gaining public trust to effectively combat rising crime rates. He stressed the need for the police to engage with the community positively and build a strong relationship with the population.

In a related development, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, General David Muhoozi, urged the new police leadership to tackle corruption, resource mismanagement, and land grabbing, which have tarnished the police force's reputation.

The outgoing Acting Inspector General of Police, Major General Tumusime Katsigazi, called on the government to address the challenges of an inadequate budget, which has impacted the police force's operations, including issues related to human resources. He pointed out that officers are struggling with insufficient meals, a lack of vehicles, and fuel shortages.

The new Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, promised to prioritize the acquisition and maintenance of anti-crime infrastructure. He also committed to improving the welfare of police personnel, including enhancing their home and office environments and establishing schools for their children.