Seven top police chiefs vacate offices amid rationalisation questions

At least seven senior police officers at the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) have vacated their offices in a development that has sparked questions about ongoing restructuring within the Uganda Police Force. Sources familiar with the matter told Monitor that the affected officers, who have been heading key directorates at police headquarters, handed over office responsibilities to their deputies and surrendered official government equipment, including vehicles, earlier this month.

“The offices of several directors have remained closed since last week. Some of them who have been seen at headquarters were in civilian clothes after handing over,” a source said. Efforts to obtain an official explanation from police spokesperson Mr Rusoke Kituuma were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered by press time. It remains unclear whether the exits are linked to the expiry of employment contracts or the wider government rationalisation programme targeting public institutions and administrative structures.

Most of the affected officers are relatively young by senior police standards, with many in their 40s and early 50s. They were elevated to the rank of AIGP by President Museveni in September 2024. Among those promoted in that batch were Mr Frank Mwesigwa, who headed Operations; Mr Moses Kafeero Kabugo in-charge of Human Resource Development; Mr Felix Baryamwisaki, who led ICT; Ms Hadijah Namutebi of Welfare and Production; Mr Charles Kataratambi of Human Rights and Legal Services; Mr David Wasswa Ssengendo of Counter Terrorism Police; and Mr Ubaldo Bamunoba of the Chief Political Commissariat.

Under police regulations, officers appointed to the rank of AIGP at the age of 45 years and above serve on contractual terms, usually for three years, subject to renewal at the discretion of the President.

However, the officers now leaving office have served for less than two years, raising uncertainty over the reasons behind their departures. The developments come at a time when the Police Authority — the body that advises the President on senior police appointments — has been operating with vacant key positions following changes in government leadership. Observers within the Force say the exits may also be connected to the government’s ongoing Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (Rapex) programme.

Last year, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Ms Catherine Bitarakwate, issued a circular directing government agencies to phase out some director positions and merge several departments by June 2026.

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