The Appointments Committee has today vetted the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his deputy, appointed recently by President Museveni.
Over the weekend, the president appointed Abbas Byakagaba police Chief, replacing Martins Okoth Ochola, who retired two months ago, and James Ochaya as his deputy.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door vetting exercise, the Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi said he declined to cast his vote in favour of the appointment of Abbas Byakagaba as the new Inspector General of Police designate James Ochaya as the Deputy Inspector General of Police designate, until the duo furnish Parliament with a comprehensive plan on how they will address the deplorable living conditions within the Force.
Ssenyonyi made the remarks while addressing journalists after the end of the meeting of the Appointments Committee, where he said that he could consider casting a vote in favour of the duo perhaps when they return after their contract is extended, but that vote too will be conditioned on how they work to end the discrimination within operations of the Force, whose actions target members of the Opposition.
He emphasized the need to improve the welfare of security forces, particularly their living conditions as well as issues relating to their exodus SACCO.
“In our interactions with them, I put two issues to them, the welfare of the Police Force. I have two barracks in my constituency, the way these people live is deplorable, and I asked them what plans do they have as those that have been appointed. I also tasked fellow MPs that these people should bring a comprehensive plan and as Parliament, we should act upon it because these Police officers are human beings like us, they are serving the country, we do have challenges with the way they are operating but many of the Juniors who aren’t giving the orders you see how they live it’s deplorable, something has got to be done on that,” Joel Ssenyonyi Said.
“There is that Exodus SACCO which Police officers keep complaining about, they say they save money by force, they can’t access it. I also put to them how Police operates in a segregative manner, and I asked them what plans do you have to see that this segregation doesn’t happen? I didn’t give them my vote in the Committee because I want to see how they act differently and if we shall go out there and hold our activities uninterrupted. Maybe when they come back for renewal and that kind of thing, and I have seen they have performed differently, and I can say, maybe I can give you my vote,” Added LoP Joel Ssenyonyi.
Ssenyonyi stressed that addressing these concerns is crucial for the credibility and effectiveness of the police force.