KAMPALA – Mr Godfrey Bangirana’s days as Police Director of Engineering and Logistics seem to be numbered after Inspector General of Police Okoth Ochola directed him to hand over the office.
Mr Bangirana, who has served in several capacities in the police force and is considered to have accumulated a lot of wealth, which is a subject of an investigation by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), had applied for renewal of his contract just like other police directors.
But in a letter dated July 19, Mr Ochola told Mr Bangirana that since his contract was yet to be renewed, he should hand over office.
“Records available indicate that your contract that was renewed on July 17, 2017, expired on July 16, 2019,” Mr Ochola’s letter to Bangirana reads in part.
“It is also on record that you applied for a renewal of your contract, which has not been done. While we await the decision of the appointing authority, it is appropriate that you hand over office to SPC Richard Edyegu, one of the deputy directors in the directorate.”
Last year, the Inspectorate of Government said it was investigating Mr Bangirana for alleged financial impropriety.
Mr Bangirana is accused of misappropriating more than Shs 100 billion stemming from inflated procurement costs on the implementation of police projects. The projects being queried include the construction of Natete police station and the repair of an old police chopper.
The development comes after President Museveni refused to renew the contracts of top police directors and tasked Mr Ochola to ensure that they all vacate their offices by next year. A director is a third-highest level in the police structure.
During a May recent security meeting at State House Entebbe, Mr Ochola tabled police directors’ contracts before the President for renewal but the latter declined to pen his signature.
State House sources added that Mr Museveni tasked IGP Ochola to show cause why old Director’s contracts should be renewed.
“Most of those police officers are above 45 years of age and I don’t think it is necessary to for them to stay in office,” a source quoted the President saying.
“Police needs young, energetic and brilliant officers who can battle with these young and stubborn opposition leaders,” Adds the President during a security meeting which was attended by top security chiefs.
Officers at the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) were last year given a two-year extension after the expiry of their contracts.
