Deputy IGP Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi and other military officers recently posted to the Police Force by President Museveni have been sworn in as new members of the Police Council at the ongoing Police Council meeting at Police Headquarters, Naguru.
Among others sworn in is the Joint Chief of Staff AIGP Brig. Jack Bakasumba, AIGP Brig Godfrey Goloba the Director Human Resource Dev’t, AIGP Colonel Jesse Kamunanwire the Director Human Resource and Administration and AIGP Colonel Chris Damulira the Director Crime Intelligence.
Speaking after the swearing-in, the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola urged the new police council members to articulate issues as presented to them by the members they represent on the Police Council.
In March last year President Yoweri Museveni appointed Military Police Commander, then Brig. Sabiiti Muzeyi Deputy Inspector General of Police. The President would later in July this year appoint the other four UPDF officers Assistant Inspector Generals of Police (AIGPs). The officers were subsequently named directors in the police force.
“Congratulations to the UPDF General and Senior officers seconded and appointed to various positions in the Uganda Police Force. UPDF remains available to support other agencies of govt. in their quest to build capacity for the good of our country,” Defence Spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire said of the new deployments then.
According to Section 10 of the Police Act 1994, there shall be a Police Council with the Inspector General of Police as its chairperson.
The Police Council also consists of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, all directors, commandant of the mobile police patrol unit, Regional Police Commanders’ representatives, officers at the police headquarters responsible for operations, training, finance, personnel, legal affairs, community affairs and research and planning among others.
According to article 11 of the Police Act 1994, the Police Council is responsible for recruitment, appointment and promotion of police officers up to the rank of inspector of police.
The Police Council is also responsible for exercising disciplinary control over all police officers through the police courts, advise the police authority on the ranks structure in the force, formulate terms and conditions of service of members of the force subject to approval by the police authority, formulate and establish standards of recruitment and training within the force and to determine the types and quality of equipment and supplies to be procured by the force.
The Police Council is also responsible for formulating and advising the police authority on the policies of the force and ensure their implementation of that policy among other key functions.
The council last sat two years ago and this necessitated swearing in of new members who have joined the force or the Council in that period.
