The newly appointed Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commander, Ezekiel Emitu, has officially assumed office, pledging to strengthen teamwork and enhance security coordination across the metropolitan area.
Emitu took over leadership on Tuesday from his predecessor, Richard Ecega, during a handover ceremony held at the Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala. The function was presided over by the Director of Police Operations, Frank Mwesigwa.
In his inaugural remarks, Emitu committed to working closely with the existing police team and sister security agencies to maintain peace and order in the capital.
“I want to assure you that I am going to work with the team available to bring sanity to Kampala Metropolitan, and to continue building on the existing peace across the country,” Emitu said. “We shall always consult and continue working with sister agencies to perform the tasks assigned to us.”
He acknowledged that his appointment came amid mixed reactions, noting that the circumstances surrounding the transfer had generated public scrutiny.
“The transfer came with mixed feelings, especially due to the negative publicity with which it was received. It tends to portray the incoming officer as a messiah, which places a lot of expectation on me. However, we will do our best to build on the achievements of my colleague,” he added.
Emitu further revealed that although he previously served as deputy commander of KMP, the security dynamics have since evolved, necessitating renewed focus and collaboration. He called on officers under his command to embrace teamwork in addressing emerging security challenges.
Speaking at the ceremony, AIGP Mwesigwa underscored the magnitude of the task ahead, describing policing the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area as both demanding and sensitive.
“Policing Kampala Metropolitan Area is very demanding and requires vigilance, resilience, and sound judgment. Kampala is not only the capital city but also the political, economic, and diplomatic centre of our nation,” Mwesigwa said.
He emphasized that the city’s security carries both national and international implications, noting that crime incidents often prompt foreign embassies to issue travel advisories.
“The centre of gravity of the country is here. When we manage security concerns effectively in Kampala, we address both national and international interests,” he added.
Mwesigwa urged the new commander to prioritize crime prevention and intelligence coordination, stressing the need for both overt and covert deployments to deter criminal activity.
“We need to see this city well dominated in terms of deployments to ensure we curtail any form of crime from disturbing our people,” he said.
