Kayihura: Those who want me gone are criminals

 

KAMPALA - The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen. Kale Kayihura, has taken a swipe at a section of people demanding for his exit, saying only rapists, thieves and murderers will be happy when he leaves his docket.

 

Appointed IGP in October 2005, Kayihura had a two-hour meeting with Parliament’s appointments committee seeking approval for another three-year term in office.

 

Clad in a blue shirt and a dark suit, Kayihura strutted into the committee room at midday.

 

Although, according to sources privy to the closed meeting, Kahiyura was spared the stiff opposition to the extension of his tenure he faced in November 2011, he was still peppered with questions about his record in the Police.

 

“He spent time explaining his plans for the Police force and how he has professionalised it. But still, some members in the opposition accused him of militarising the force and being partisan,” a source said.

 

Kayihura, however, was in no mood to let such accusations stick.

 

“Those who said Parliament should not approve me are the criminals, terrorists, thugs and murderers I have been fighting. However, I will continue working with all people. I will also concentrate on improving the housing and accommodation for the police officers,” Kayihura told the press after exiting the meeting chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on Thursday.

 

“We shall continue to serve the people of Uganda, fix what is lacking in the force and solve the indiscipline among the traffic Police that the President has routinely highlighted,” Kayihura said.

 

Asked about allegations that he is ‘partisan’, Kayihura deflated such insinuations.

 

He said Ugandans are used to deciphering every decision and statement through a political prism.

 

“I am wearing a blue shirt. Does this mean I support the Forum for Democratic Change?” Kayihura asked, before explaining the context in which he recently told Makerere University students that anyone saying President Yoweri Museveni should retire on account of his age is in need of psychiatric help.

 

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Gen. Kayihura walks out of Parliament after his appearance before the committe. PHOTO/Kennedy Oryema

 

 “Young people have a tendency of saying old people like us are useless and should be consigned to the archives of history. But that is not true," remarked the police chief.

 

In 2011, opposition members in the appointments committee following what they described as gross violations of human rights by the Police in the run-up to the 2011 polls, lobbied to block Kayihura’s approval.

 

A host of opposition politicians contend the former head of anti-smuggling unit at Uganda Revenue Authority has turned the Police force into an appendage of the ruling party instead of being neutral like all professional forces are meant to be.

 

However, some legislators on the appointments committee feel the soldier-turned- cop is doing a commendable job.

 

“He has done a good job given the evolving security threats such as terrorism the country is facing. He should definitely continue,” a legislator on the appointments committee said.

 

Although the decision of the committee had not been communicated by press time, Kayihura’s approval was set to sail through.

 

The committee also vetted two other nominees, Kabogoza Musoke and Godfrey Okot, who are to be appointed members of the Public Service Commission and National Planning Authority respectively.