KAMPALA – The former Economics and Research director at Internal Security Organization, Mr Charles Rwomushana, has said that the deployment of military officers to senior police positions could worsen the level of crime in the country.
President Museveni, on July 2, appointed several army officers to police, among them Col Sserunjoji Ddamulira, who is the director of crime intelligence in the Uganda Police Force.
But Mr Rwomushana says that while the deployments are as a result of pressure caused by rising armed robberies, these will not be the solution.
“There is sufficient pressure arising from the skyrocketing insecurity. The situation could get worse as these armed units operating in the interior lines start taking on each other,” he says.
Several army officers have in the past been appointed to senior police positions, among then current Works state minister Maj Gen Katumba Wamala and Gen Kale Kayihura. The current Deputy IGP, Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, is also one of the high ranking officers in the military.
Former IGP Kayihura was accused of militarising the police by appointing several army officers to key positions in the police force.
This Mr Rwomushana says is counterproductive.
“The Military has taken over policing and we are now effectively a Police State,” he says.
Mr Rwomushana’s assertions are reinforced by the fact that crime in Gen Kayihura’s tenure remained high despite another army officer, Cool Atwooki Ndahura, heading crime intelligence.
Col Ndahura is currently facing criminal charges in relation to using his office to commit crime.
In the leadership changes, Col Ddamulira is the director of crime intelligence in the Uganda Police Force, police that was previously held by another army officer, Col Ndahura Atwooki who was returned to the army after Gen Kale Kayihura was sacked as IGP. Col Ndahura is now facing several criminal charges.
Col Ddamulira has been serving as the deputy director in charge of counter-terrorism at CMI. Col Ddamulira’s position at CMI has been taken over by Col Julius Mbeine, who has been Director in charge of Administration at CMI.
Col CK Asiimwe has been elevated to Deputy Director of crime intelligence at CMI.
In the latest reshuffle, the President also appointed Brigadier Golooba as the police director of human resource and training while Col Kamunanwire will head administration.
Brig. Bakashumba has been appointed police chief of staff.
Col Jesse Kamunanwire will be Brig Golooba’s deputy in charge of police administration.
Col David Gonyi leaves Somalia to CMI as Director of Collection at CMI.
Defence and Army spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire congratulated the newly appointed officers and wished them well.
The newly appointed army officers will join Brig Sabiiti Mzee, who is the Deputy IGP, in the police force.
Former IGP Kayihura was accused of militarising the police by appointing several army officers to key positions in the police force.
The President is said to have been forced to appoint an army officer to head crime intelligence in police to improve investigations into the rising spate of armed robberies that have puzzled security agencies.
