Faced with a wave of crime, including murder of high profile personalities in broad daylight as well as women murders and, most recently, killing of foreign nationals and kidnap and murder of Susan Magara, President Museveni appears to have conceded that the Police force was no longer in command and capable of holding out against criminals. Things appears to have got bad for Tumukunde as security minister since the insecurity in the country was partly his mandate to solve.
President Museveni has finally sacked Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura and replaced him with seasoned police officer Okoth Ochola.
In the surprise announcement on Sunday, the president also sacked security minister Gen Henry Tumukunde and replaced him with Gen Elly Tumwine.
The president appointed Brig Sabiiti Muzei as deputy IGP, a move that has been quickly read into by a section of the public as Museveni’s desire to continue the firm grasp of the military in the police force.
Brig. Sabiiti has been the commander of the Military Police. As expected, the public has concluded that Brig Sabiiti will be the substantive IGP as Okoth Ochola holds out a ceremonial role.
“In exercise of powers granted to me by the Constitution, I have appointed Gen Elly Tumwine as the Security Minister. I have also appointed Okoth Ochola as the Inspector-General of Police. He will be deputised by Brig Sabiiti Muzeei,