Gen Kale Kayihura has began his new term as Inspector General of Police with an instructional memo to his commanders.
The memo which this website has seen was sent to all units, and it reminds commanders and police officers of their duties towards the citizens of Uganda.
The new term of Gen Kayihura who was first appointed IGP in November 2005, started on November 10.
The IGP has written the memo telling his officers to focus on building the professionalism of the force. He asked the officers to build their competencies in political education and technical skills of police officers.
On Tuesday, Kayihura tasked AIGP Assan Kasingye to build a police political education school.
The IGP wants the force to double the capacity of investigations particularly in crime intelligence, forensics, K9, counter terrorism, and community liaison. He said in the new term he wanted to see the welfare of officers improved significantly, say, accommodation, healthcare, officer’s children’s wellbeing and income generation activities.
“I call upon you to double your efforts in your respective areas of deployment,” he rallied the officers, adding that, “the current smear campaign should not demoralize you or distract you from your work.”
The IGP said the reason the commanders should even be more vigilant than before is because, their critics want them to be distracted and fail in their work.
“Disapprove them,” he said.
One step at a time
While speaking to media in January, Gen Kayihura said he has done a lot for Uganda Police Force, basing his argument on the fact that the force has increased from 14000 to 44600 ever since he took over the mantle from Gen Katumba Wamala.
Citing examples of reduced indiscipline in UPF, increased police personnel, refresher courses and increased police budget, Mr Asan Kasingye, outgoing Police spokesman, said IGP definitely deserved a new contract because he is a value addition and still relevant to UPF.
“There is no doubt in the strength of IGP. His coming into the police saw us beginning training every year and our personnel has increased. Our relationship with community and security agencies has tremendously improved,” Mr Kasingye said.
Mr Kasingye said officers were happy Gen Kayihura in his a new term is addressing the problem of accommodation which he said was giving him headache when officers sleep in dilapidated structures.
“I know the IGP has started working on accommodation challenge but I would like him to give it first priority in his new term. He should also address the issue of indiscipline in some police officers,” Mr Kasingye said.
