News
Senior Police, Prisons officers to graduate with master’s degrees
Nkumba University’s co-ordinator of programmes, Dr Anne Abaho says three officers will be conferred master's in diplomacy and global studies, while the remaining 16 will receive masters in security and strategic studies.
Some of the graduands pose for a group photo with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (seated centre) at the Police Senior Command and Staff College, Bwebajja. (Courtesy)
By: Ritah Mukasa, Journalist @New Vision
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Nineteen senior Police and Prison officers, including commissioners and senior superintendents, are set to graduate with master’s degrees from Nkumba University.
The University’s 28th graduation ceremony is scheduled for October 24, 2026, at the main campus in Nkumba, Wakiso district.
Nkumba University’s co-ordinator of programmes, Dr Anne Abaho says three officers will be conferred master's in diplomacy and global studies, while the remaining 16 will receive masters in security and strategic studies.
Senior Commissioner of Prisons (SCP) Aliyo Natukunda, Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP) and Senior Superintendent of Prisons Ben Nyanzi and Arthur Mugaba, are among the notable security officials. Others are ASPs Isaac Amanya and Engineer Lule Robert.
“These courses equip the officers with knowledge and skills to respond to modern-day security challenges,” Abaho said.
She adds that knowledge and abilities in diplomacy and security directly minimise the need for physical force and enable law enforcers to act not merely as tactical enforcers but crisis managers.
These acquired skills are also critical in enabling officers to safely counter threats arising from developments such as demonstrations, open borders and a growing cyber world.
SSP Dr Bosco Arop, who is also the chief instructor at the Police Senior Command and Staff College Bwebajja, says, every year, Uganda Police sponsors senior officers for further studies at different universities to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“The courses have improved graduates’ policing abilities,” he says. And as such, the officers have shifted from reactionary to proactive in risk detection, assessment and response. There are also improvements in Police-community relations and extensively, crime prevention, terror management and resultantly, improved domestic safety.
The first graduating class was in 2023 with five officers namely: ACP Moses Byabagye, SSP Brians Ampaire, ACP Gerald Twishimye, ACP Moses Otala Obbo and ACP Micheal Musani. They are all serving in different command and control positions across the country.
These acquired skills are also critical in enabling officers to safely counter threats arising from developments such as demonstrations, open borders and a growing cyber world.
SSP Dr Bosco Arop, who is also the chief instructor at the Police Senior Command and Staff College Bwebajja, says, every year, Uganda Police sponsors senior officers for further studies at different universities to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“The courses have improved graduates’ policing abilities,” he says. And as such, the officers have shifted from reactionary to proactive in risk detection, assessment and response. There are also improvements in Police-community relations and extensively, crime prevention, terror management and resultantly, improved domestic safety.
The first graduating class was in 2023 with five officers namely: ACP Moses Byabagye, SSP Brians Ampaire, ACP Gerald Twishimye, ACP Moses Otala Obbo and ACP Micheal Musani. They are all serving in different command and control positions across the country.
Next was in 2024, with 14 graduates with a master of arts in security studies and strategic studies (MSSS) and notable among them are: AIGP Bamunoba Ubaldo, CP James Ruhweza and Richard Ecega. Others were SSP Katunda and Lwamusayi, Chelengat Sylvia and Senior Superintendent of Prisons, Doreen Asiimwe. These are in charge of directorates and departments such as political commissariat, operations, command positions and forensics, among others. These were then followed by the 2025 class of 27 students, five of whom trained in Diplomacy and global studies and the remaining in security and strategic studies. Notable among them were: commissioners of police David Manzi, James Kushemererwa, Polly Namaye and Phillip Acaye. Others are; Benedict Byamugisha and Commissioner of Prisons Mary Centenary.
On whether the courses are reserved for the selected uniformed citizens, Abaho says they also take on self-sponsored officers and others from the region studying on the weekend programme.
On the other hand, the courses also help to deepen the University’s collaborations with international and domestic institutions for purposes of improving teaching, information dissemination and community outreach.
“Three years back, we started giving out bursaries in criminal justice, security studies and cyber security, wildlife and international relations as part of our community outreach,” Abaho says.
Meanwhile, SSPs Peter Wambuzi, Engineer Mugaba and Rose Asiimwe agree that the courses enhance operational leadership and institutional management, permitting the graduates to prevent security lapses. For SSP Diana Nandawula and Shaka Francisco, it is the exposure to broader national security insights and connection to soft security issues such as food, health and the environment that were most captivating.
SSPs Willy Ahimbisibwe and Regina Cherry applaud the staff for equipping them with the required knowledge to deal with modern, transnational policing and international engagements. SSP Alumandri confirms, “as law enforcement evolves beyond localised crime management, law enforcement institutions must develop officers that understand geo-politics, international law and strategic statecraft”.
On their part as senior course coordinators and student leaders, SCP Aliyo Natukunda and ACP Isaac Amanya implore all law enforcers to undertake these courses in order to make meaningful contributions to security.
On whether the courses are reserved for the selected uniformed citizens, Abaho says they also take on self-sponsored officers and others from the region studying on the weekend programme.
On the other hand, the courses also help to deepen the University’s collaborations with international and domestic institutions for purposes of improving teaching, information dissemination and community outreach.
“Three years back, we started giving out bursaries in criminal justice, security studies and cyber security, wildlife and international relations as part of our community outreach,” Abaho says.
Meanwhile, SSPs Peter Wambuzi, Engineer Mugaba and Rose Asiimwe agree that the courses enhance operational leadership and institutional management, permitting the graduates to prevent security lapses. For SSP Diana Nandawula and Shaka Francisco, it is the exposure to broader national security insights and connection to soft security issues such as food, health and the environment that were most captivating.
SSPs Willy Ahimbisibwe and Regina Cherry applaud the staff for equipping them with the required knowledge to deal with modern, transnational policing and international engagements. SSP Alumandri confirms, “as law enforcement evolves beyond localised crime management, law enforcement institutions must develop officers that understand geo-politics, international law and strategic statecraft”.
On their part as senior course coordinators and student leaders, SCP Aliyo Natukunda and ACP Isaac Amanya implore all law enforcers to undertake these courses in order to make meaningful contributions to security.