Published on: September 5, 2024
The recent promotions of seven senior police officers to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) by President Yoweri Museveni have been met with mixed reactions from political analysts, human rights activists, commentators and the public. While some have welcomed the move as a step towards reforming the police force, others have expressed skepticism about the ability of the new officers to effect meaningful change.
The promotions by their very nature are recognition of one’s good service and as such, when officers are promoted, they’re expected to do better.
The officers now face a daunting array of tasks that will test their leadership, expertise, and commitment to reform. Top among these challenges is addressing the perennial issue of human rights violations, upholding the rule of law and corruption within the police force.
“Our appeal would be that they should do as much as possible to professionalize the police force, to ensure that the force upholds the rule of law, human rights standards and improve cooperation with the citizenry”. Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana, the Executive Director Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) said.
Activists, opposition politicians and the public have long complained about abuse of rights, freedom of expression, assembly and association, extortion, bribery, and other forms of corruption, which have eroded trust in the police.
The new AIGPs now have a critical task to overhaul the police’s human rights record, which has been marred by allegations of torture, extrajudicial killings, and other abuses.
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