President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has appointed Samuel Akena as the new Deputy Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons Services (UPS).
Akena will replace James Mwanje, who retired from UPS in May 2022.
Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson Frank Baine has confirmed the appointment of Akena as Dr Johnson Byabashaija’s deputy.
Akena now awaits vetting and approval by the Appointments Committee of Parliament of Uganda, whose chairperson is Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea District Woman MP Anita Annet Among.
The new deputy commissioner general of Police is 59 years of age and has risen through the ranks over the years.
Akena joined Uganda Prisons Service in 1987. He joined at the rank of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Prisons.
Then he had graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology, Botany, and Geography from Makerere University. About a decade later, in 1996, Akena would earn a postgraduate diploma in Public Administration from the Uganda Management Institute.
Some of the places he has worked at include Murchison Bay Prison, Patiko Prisons Farm and Tororo Government Prison Farm (in 1997) before becoming a regional commander in 2004.
He served as a deputy officer in charge (OC) of Tororo Prisons Farm, later as the officer in charge of the Gulu-based Amita Prisons Farm, and later the Isimba Prison Farm.
Akena was later sent to the UPS head office to serve as the officer in charge of training and promotion.
He would grow through the rank becoming an Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons. He has worked in units such as Administration and Inspection, support services and special duties.
In 2011, Akena was elevated to the rank of commissioner and was handed the responsibility of heading support services. Five years later, in 2016, he was appointed director of correctional services. He held this position until his appointment as deputy commissioner general of prisons.
The appointment of Akena comes around the time Museveni is making new appointments and promotions. Last week, Museveni appointed 773 police officers, including Fred Enanga. (Read Story and See Full List of Promoted Officers HERE).
Museveni also fired his senior press secretary Lindah Nabusayi Wamboka, and this sacked official has since handed over office to the new press secretary Walusimbi. (Read Story Here).
In the same week, Museveni also fired the commander of the Special Forces Command (Read Story Here).
