City lawyer petitions speaker over Lokech's appointment as Deputy IGP

PARLIAMENT|LOKECH|MABIRIZI

KAMPALA - City lawyer Male Mabirizi has petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly Rebecca Kadaga who is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Appointments Committee not to approve the appointment of Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech as the new Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP). 

Mabirizi in his letter noted Lokech's appointment was not done in accordance with the Constitution and the Police Act.

"I am aware the President has nominated Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech a serving Uganda Peoples Defence Force officer for approval as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) and the purpose of this letter is to object to the nomination and any approval because it will be illegal and contrary to the Constitution and the Police Act," Mabirizi argues.

He quoted Sections 9 (1) (b) of the Police Act which provides that, "subject to the Constitution, the functions of the Police Authority are to advise the President on the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), his Deputy, the Assistant IGP, and Commissioners of Police.

Mabirizi also quoted Section 14 (2) of the Police Act which provides that, "The Police Authority shall establish the procedure and form of application to be adopted in the appointment of Senior Police Officers in the force."

"Since the appointment process is required to start from the Police Authority which in turn advises the President, a none member of the Uganda Police cannot lawfully become DIGP because he will be lacking the requisite advice which is a condition precedent," Mabirizi added.

Mabirizi further informed the speaker that, approving Lokech for that sensitive position will further worsen the already bad governance situation in Uganda making reference to the November riots following the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi the National Unity Platform Presidential aspirant in Luuka which he says claimed the lives of about 60 people.

President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday appointed Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech as the new Deputy Inspector General of Police (DDIGP) replacing Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi citing frustrations from the police force.

Museveni who is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces re-appointed Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba back to the Special Forces Command (SFC) replacing Maj. Gen. James Birungi.

Maj Gen. Lokech who was on a special assignment "to monitor on behalf of the guarantors of the South Sudan peace process, the assembling, screening, demobilisation and integration of the armed forces of South Sudan" was appointed Deputy IGP replacing Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi who was sent back to the Army headquarters for redeployment.

Maj. Gen. Birungi replaced Lokech. Museveni also re-appointed Okoth Ochola as Inspector General of Police.

Muzeyi was appointed Deputy IGP in March 2018 replacing the current IGP Martin Okoth Ochola, who replaced Gen. Kale Kayihura.

Lokech can only serve as DIGP if approved by the Parliamentary appointments committee.