After tumultuous years at the helm of Uganda Police, General Kale Kayihura was relieved of his duties as Inspector General of Police.
In his place now is Martin Okoth Ochola, the man often referred to as quiet and efficient , deputized by Brigadier Sabiiti Muzeyi, a former commander of the Military Police.
Now fully in control, IGP Ochola is on a marathon of reforms to seen as stamping his authority, the latest being an upcoming physical headcount of all Police officers countrywide to establish the actual number of serving officers.
Insiders reveal that the new Police chief believes his predecessor through aides was reaping big from diverting wages of thousands of officers who had died, others indisposed and several others forced to desert, yet their names remained on the payroll.
“The IGP (Ochola) wants to cut off the ghost officers completely and save the Force millions that were previously being pocketed by Kayihura’s aides,” a source explained to our reporter about the directive PSU/060/18 dated March 22 and sent to be supervised by the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) commandant , William Okalany.
Though dates are yet to be known, the exercise will start with Units/divisions within Kampala Metropolitan Police before rolling out to upcountry districts.
Each Police officer will fill a manpower audit form before proceeding to the audit team for verification. All personnel should be equipped with a recent passport photo, Intergrated Personal and Payroll System number, bank account number, Tax Identification Number, National ID, date of enlist, date of posting to the current station and date of last promotion, IGP Ochola demanded in the strong worded internal memo.
During the 13 years of Kayihura’s leaders, corrupt commanders are said to have taken advantage of the rather porous recruitment process of Special Police Constables (SPCs) and more to include names of non-existent people on the payroll.
Now, heads are expected to roll as investigations continue, sources close to Ochola’s office said.
