The newly appointed IGP Martin Okoth Ochola has officially taken over the leadership of the Police, with his predecessor Gen. Kale Kayihura saying he has handed over an improved Police Force.
Okoth has taken the baton as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from Kayihura, who was in charge for a record 12 years and two months. No other person had been at the helm of the Police for that long.
While giving his speech, Gen Kayihura said he was very excited for he handed over to the person he believes in, having worked with him in the force for a long time.
He said that despite the recent bad image, he has handed over the police force in a better shape than the one he found.
“In spite of the recent bad image, I am handing over a police force that is in better shape than the one I found. The force is now built on a solid foundation. And in spite of the setbacks, we are moving in the right direction,” Gen Kayihura said.
He added; “I took over command at a time of intense activity, there was political turbulence and opposition thought they could do anything without Police intervention, this was quite a challenge.”
Gen Kayihura apologized to anybody he could have stepped on during his tenure as the IGP.
“If there is any body I stepped on, please, I am sorry. I did not intend to, but it was for the good of the country,” he said.
The minister for internal affairs Gen Jeje Odongo who presided over the handover and takeover ceremony thanked Gen Kayihura for his tremendous contribution to the Uganda Police Force.
“Gen Kale, there is no doubt in my mind that you have added value to the police force. Both quantitatively and qualitatively. People will tell you what they say, but I will tell you what I say; you are one of the few people who have contributed greatly to the police force” Gen Odongo said.
