Where’s IGP Ochola & Who’s Currently in Charge of Uganda Police?

For about four months now, Uganda Police Force (UPF) chief IGP Martins Okoth Ochola has not made any public appearance, raising questions about his health.

Last month, when deputy police chief Paul Lokech suddenly died, IGP Ochola missed his burial in Pader District.

Ochola also missed the vigil at Lokech’s Kitikifumba in Kira Division.

Here, Brig Gen Jack Bakasumba, the Police Joint Chief of Staff, represented Ochola.

With President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni yet to appoint a replacement for the late Lt Gen Lokech, who died eight months after replacing Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeeyi.

Now, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says there has been claims that there is “a power vacuum in police leadership following the demise of the former DIGP Lt Gen Paul Lokech” which means “there is no clear structure of command and leadership among the other seven Directors.”

But Enanga says Ochola, despite his absence, is in charge.

“We wish to strongly refute the story, and inform them that there is never a vacuum in security leadership.  Under the Police Act, the IGP has general powers under section 6(3), to delegate any of his functions to the DIGP or a Senior Police Officer, as witnessed on a number of state functions and other duties,” said Enanga.

“At a horizontal level of ranking, whether at the managerial level of Director, Deputy Director, Head of Department, Head of Section, or Territorial Command at Regional and District level; the Senior Most Officer at that horizontal level, takes command or leadership.”

The police publicist emphasized: “All in all, the IGP is clearly in charge of the whole Police Organisation, and supported by a team of the Chief of Joint Staff and Directors, who are all well equipped to deliver on the delegated responsibilities of the IGP.”