Revolt Within the Force: Junior Officers Challenge Renewal of Top Police Directors Contracts Over Corruption and Mismanagement Claims

section of junior police officers has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to institute an independent inquiry into the conduct and performance of several senior police directors whose contracts recently expired, instead of automatically renewing their terms.

The appeal comes as uncertainty surrounds the future of ten Assistant Inspector Generals of Police (AIGPs), who also serve as police directors, following the expiry of their three-year renewable contracts. The officers are awaiting a decision from President Museveni on whether their contracts will be extended.

The affected senior officers recently handed over office responsibilities to their deputies pending the appointing authority’s decision. They include AIGP Moses Kafeero (Human Resource Development and Training), AIGP Hadija Namutebi (Welfare and Sports), AIGP Erasmus Twaruhukwa (Research, Planning and Development), AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki (ICT), AIGP Jesse Kamunanwire (Human Resource Administration), AIGP David Wasswa (Counter-Terrorism), AIGP Lawrence Niwabiine (Traffic and Road Safety), AIGP John Nuwagira (Field Force Unit), AIGP Stephen Tanui (Fire Prevention and Rescue Services), and AIGP Ubaldo Bamunoba (Chief Political Commissar).

Under Uganda Police Force regulations, the rank of AIGP is the third-highest in the force, with officers typically placed on renewable three-year contracts after completing 45 years of service, subject to presidential approval.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police Rusoke Kituuma recently confirmed that the contracts had expired and that the relevant files had been submitted to the appointing authority for consideration.

However, several junior officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the performance of some of the outgoing directors and urged the President to first assess their record in office.

“These directors have been in leadership positions for years. The question is what tangible achievements they can point to and how they have improved policing and service delivery,” one officer said.

The officers further alleged that some departments under the directors had failed to fully utilise government resources and personnel, particularly within the national CCTV project. According to the officers, challenges related to staffing, training, maintenance and operational response continue to affect the effectiveness of the surveillance system.

They claimed that some operators lacked specialised certification and that maintenance delays had rendered some cameras non-functional for extended periods. The officers argued that these shortcomings have undermined the intended role of CCTV technology in crime prevention and emergency response.

Some junior officers also alleged that professional officers who offered technical advice or raised concerns about operational shortcomings were transferred from Kampala to upcountry postings, which they viewed as punitive.

In addition, the officers accused some senior officials of fostering corruption within deployment and promotion processes. They alleged that certain postings were influenced by financial considerations rather than merit.

The officers further argued that inadequate implementation of police doctrine, training programmes and professional development policies had contributed to cases of misconduct within the force.

The allegations emerge amid heightened scrutiny of senior government and police officials. Recently, President Museveni ordered the suspension of three senior officials pending investigations, including AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, and Police Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi.

The suspensions have intensified public and internal attention on accountability within the security sector as the President considers whether to renew the contracts of the affected police directors.

Should the allegations warrant formal investigation, the disgruntled say the outcome could influence future reforms within the force and shape the next phase of leadership in Uganda’s police establishment.

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