President Museveni has undertaken the momentous task of promoting 1,638 gazetted police officers based on the counsel of the esteemed Police Authority.
These newly elevated officers have ascended to various ranks, including Senior Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, and Assistant Superintendent of Police.
The announcement of these promotions was made on Friday by the accomplished Internal Affairs Minister, Gen Kahinda Otafiire, who serves as the Chairperson of the Police Authority. With the authority vested in him by Section 9(i) of the Police Act, President Museveni has diligently exercised his powers to appoint and elevate these deserving individuals.
Otafiire shared his insights during the ceremony, acknowledging that upon assuming office, the new leadership recognized significant gaps within the police promotion system. These deficiencies have since been rectified, resulting in the expeditious promotion of a substantial number of officers within a relatively short timeframe.
He emphasized that promotions are solely based on performance, regardless of gender. Merit and efficiency are the guiding principles in the police force, transcending gender disparities. Otafiire expressed, “In the police, we don’t have men or women; all police officers are equal.”
It is noteworthy that last year’s promotions marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time gazetted officers between the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police received promotions since 2016, during the tenure of Gen Kale Kayihura as the Inspector General of Police.
This latest wave of promotions follows closely on the heels of another momentous occasion when the Inspector General of Police elevated 9,312 subordinate officers just a few weeks ago. These combined efforts underscore the commitment of the Ugandan government and its dedication to strengthening the police force through strategic promotions.