By Fred Kiva
The Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola and his deputy Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeeyi have embarked on a countrywide tour of police regions.
The tours which are already underway, are aimed at improving professionalism, as officers preserve law and order and enhancing Uganda Police Force’s capability in emergency and rescue services. The tours also focus on strengthening traffic and road safety enforcement and education, promotion of community policing to increase public awareness and participation in crime prevention among others.
During the tours, the Uganda Police bosses are holding barazas with personnel, where a number of issues are discussed. The IGP visited North Busoga and Kiira regions on Thursday. He carries on with Busoga East and Bukedi today (Friday), while the Deputy IGP, Maj General Sabiiti Muzeeyi visited the districts of Nwoya, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Agago, and Omoro, in Aswa region last week.
This is the first countrywide tour that the Uganda Police bosses are holding since taking office in March last year. Ochola, formerly Deputy IGP was elevated to replace General Kale Kayihura following his sacking as IGP, while then Brigadier Sabiiti, Commander Military Police was elevated to Deputy Inspector General of Police.
The two assumed offices at the peak of accusations against the police force for being infiltrated by criminals after a number of top police officials were named in criminal cases and would later be arrested and prosecuted.
On assumption of office, the new police leaders were tasked by Internal Affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo, to clean up the police force and redeem the institution's image, which he said was at its lowest then. Since then, it has been work in process for the police leadership to put things right. These regional tours are seen as a continuation of this process.
