Katumba Suspends Seven Police Officers

By Davis Weddi THE Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Katumba Wamala (pictured above), has suspended seven more senior police officers. The officers were among those recommended for suspension by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Corruption in the Police Force. Among those sent on leave are Western Regional Police Commander, Mr. Stephen Okwalinga and the chief of the Police Construction Unit, Mr. Solomon Bantebya. Others are Mr. Otika of the training planning unit and Ms. Alice Owor of the Police Quartermaster. Also sent on leave are two civilian staff, Mr. L. Musoke a personnel officer and Mr. Oboy of the personnel department. Police deputy spokesman Eric Naigambi said the concerned officers were served their leave letters yesterday. The first lot of officers to be sent on leave were SACP/A Stephen Oonyu, DACP Erasmus Opio, ACP Bob Ngobi and DSACP/SB Ogago. President Yoweri Museveni dropped John Kisembo as Inspector General of Police and replaced him with Katumba and Julius Odwee as his deputy. Katumba has since then been implementing the recommendations of the commission to eradicate corruption and improve the image of the Police. The commission reportedly recommended that Okwalinga be charged with abuse of office, corruption and engaging in insider trading. It said Okwalinga lacked supervisory capabilities and had no command. The commission also directed that the IGG should investigate his assets. Most senior officers relieved of their duties said they had been treated unfairly because they had not been charged with any offence leading to interdiction. But Katumba said yesterday, "My advice to them is to challenge this move in courts of law. My work is to implement the Ssebutinde Commission Report." Ends