Museveni will meet with police leaders to discuss Lokech’s replacement as deputy IGP.
Since Lockech died of a blood clot on August 21, 2021, police have been functioning without a DIGP for nearly a month.
The police chiefs are scheduled to meet with President Yoweri Museveni to discuss the void left by the untimely death of former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Maj Gen Paul Lokech.
Following objections from members of Parliament’s Defence Committee and several workloads that have since halted, IGP Martins Okoth Ochola confirmed this.
Since Lockech died of a blood clot on August 21, 2021, police have been functioning without a DIGP for nearly a month.
While meeting with police authorities on Wednesday, Theodore Ssekikubo, a member of Parliament from Lwemiyaga County, expressed worry, saying that the replacement of Lockech (RIP) is taking too long.
“Nature does not allow a vacuum,” Ssekikubo explained, “and the replacement is taking a long time.”
IGP Okoth Ochola, on the other hand, said that the police leadership has been tasked with advising the president on the selection of a DIGP and that they would meet shortly.
“It is the president’s police power to advise him, and we will meet on Friday,” Ochola promised MPs.
Naboth Nabimanya, the FDC MP for Rubabo County, said it’s difficult to keep going when a number of measures can’t be cleared due to a leadership vacuum in the police force.
“We’re wondering how this can continue; we don’t have a DIGP in office, and the IGP recently took a few weeks vacation, so a lot of work has stagnated,” Nabimanya explained.
IGP Ochola, on the other hand, advised MPs to remain calm and allow the police manage the situation, stressing that the void would be filled soon.
MPs questioned the police leadership about a number of issues, including how MPs Mohammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana were re-arrested after being released from prison.
Shamim Malende, the NUP’s Kampala Woman MP, encouraged police to take action and punish cops who continue to violate human rights.
