The Director of Police Crime Intelligence, Col Atwooki Ndahura, has been ordered to immediately return to the UPDF headquarters for redeployment as the post-Kayihura era in the police force takes effect, PML Daily has learnt.
Col Ndahura was appointed to the position by Gen Kale Kayihura in 2015 to strengthen police intelligence capabilities. He had been the chief of planning in the East African Standby Force,
The move to recall the soldier from the police is seen as part of attempts by the new IGP, Mr Martin Okoth-Ochola, to regain control of the police command, which source said had been militarized by Gen Kayihura and marred by accusations of indiscipline.
The Army spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire, on Wednesday confirmed that Col Ndahura is returning to the UPDF.
“Yes, it is true that Col Ndahura’s tour of duty with the Uganda Police Force has come to an end,” said Brig Karemire.
Although Lt Col Ndahura has not been visibly seen commanding operations, he recently facilitated the arrest of Rwandan refugees who were on their way to Burundi for a Christian crusade.
The group is currently facing charges of treason at a court in Mbarara.
Col Ndahura’s recall comes days after Mr Ochola merged some directorates and dismantled some units created by his predecessor in a bid to streamline service delivery and reporting lines.
Among the changes, which Mr Ochola announced on Monday, is the reconstituting of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Crime Intelligence (CID). The directorate will resume supervising the Flying Squad Unit (FSU). FSU, which is headed by Herbert Muhangi, had been moved away from CID headed by Grace Akullo, rendering the latter ineffective.
Police sources said the move is aimed at instilling discipline in the unit, which some senior police figures say has had some of its officers implicated in robbery, extortion and bribery cases.
In 2001, Col Ndahura, who was serving in the Presidential Guard Brigade, now Special Forces Command, was accused of beating up and shooting at supporters of Dr Kizza Besigye in Rukungiri District. Dr Besigye later said Col Ndahura was behind the killing of John Baronda, his supporter.
