By eastafrican gazette
Following the departure of former Police Chief Martins Okoth Ochola, there was much speculation surrounding the appointment of the next Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Despite assumptions that his deputy Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Katsigazi Tumusiime would take over, it was a surprise when Abbas Byakagaba, the former head of Counter Terrorism, was appointed as the new police chief by President Yoweri Museveni on May 17, 2024. With the upcoming 2026 general election, many had anticipated that a military officer would succeed Ochola, but they all got it wrong.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/James-Ochaya.jpg)
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has entered a new era with the recent appointments of professionally trained police officers to lead the institution.
In a communication released by police spokesperson Fred Enanga, former Acting Police Chief Tumusiime, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho and Brig Gen. Godfrey Golooba were relieved of their police duties and recalled back to the army pending re-deployment.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Maj-Gen.-Tumusiime-695x1024.jpg)
However, Kandiho has already been appointed a senior presidential advisor in the office of the president.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Maj-Gen.-Kandiho.jpg)
Further changes include the appointment of AIGP James Ocaya, the former Director of Research, Planning, and Development, as the deputy to Byakagaba. AIGP Erasmus Twaruhuukwa has replaced AIGP James Ocaya in his previous role, while AIGP Hadijah Namutebi, the former political commissar, was appointed Director Welfare and Production.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Hadijja-Namutebi.jpg)
SCP Moses Kafeero has taken over as the new Human Resources Director, replacing Godfrey Golooba.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Moses-Kafeero.jpg)
AIGP Fadil Kaali is now the Director of Fire and Rescue Services, replacing AIGP Joseph Mugisa.
AIGP John Nuwagira has replaced Kaali as the commandant of the Field Force Unit, while SCP Frank Mwesigwa has taken over Nuwagira’s former position as the Director of Operations.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Frank-Mwesigwa.jpg)
Other appointments include SCP Felix Baryamwisaki as the Director of ICT, SCP Charles Kataratambi as the Director of Human Rights and Legal Services, and David Waswa as the Director of Counter Terrorism.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/David-Waswa.jpg)
Tom Magambo, the Director of Criminal Investigations, and Christopher Damulira, the Director of Crime Intelligence, are the only military officers remaining in the UPF.