The Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba has made sweeping changes in the leadership of the Kampala Metropolitan Police Area.
In changes announced on Tuesday, Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Richard Ecega, was relieved of his duties and replaced by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ezekiel Emitu, who has been serving as commandant of the Police Training School at Kabalye.
At Kabalye Police Training School, Commissioner of Police Patrick Lawot has been appointed the new commandant. Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police David Manzi, previously attached to the VIP Protection Unit (VIPPU) as the commander, has been named Deputy Commander of the Counter Terrorism Police.
The reshuffle also affects the Crime Intelligence Direcotrate in Kampala Metropolitan as Senior Superintendent of Police Ben Kasozi has been dropped as Crime Intelligence Commander and replaced by Senior Superintendent of Police Julius Isabirye.
In another change, Old Kampala Divisional Police Commander Francis Liiga has been transferred to the Human Resource Directorate. He is replaced by Superintendent of Police Kenneth Masete, formerly attached to Kalangala.
Crime surge behind changes
According to sources familiar with the matter, the reshuffle was prompted by a recent surge in crime across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
In recent weeks, the city has witnessed a wave of muggings, armed robberies, and brutal murders, leaving at least four people dead in separate incidents and several others injured or robbed of their belongings. The changes are seen as an effort to inject fresh leadership into the city’s security command.
On Monday, AIGP Gen Christopher Ddamulira dismissed claims that crime had spiraled out of control in the capital.
He revealed that between January 20 and 24, police recovered four submachine guns in the Kampala Metropolitan area and arrested nine suspects. Forensic analysis, he said, linked the weapons to at least 30 aggravated robberies.
“To us, this is a very big achievement. Kampala has not registered a single gun-related incident,” he said.
However, Ddamulira acknowledged public concerns over safety and service delivery, noting that police will continue intelligence-led sting operations targeting crime hotspots and suspected criminal hideouts across the city.
