Joel Ssenyonyi, declined to cast his vote in favor of the appointments of Abbas Byakagaba as the new Inspector General of Police and James Ochaya as the Deputy Inspector General of Police. Ssenyonyi’s decision hinges on the two providing a detailed plan on how they intend to address the poor living conditions within the Uganda Police Force.
Ssenyonyi voiced his stance during a press briefing following a meeting of the Parliamentary Appointments Committee. He emphasized that his support for Byakagaba and Ochaya is contingent upon their commitment to improving the welfare of police officers.
“I cannot, in good conscience, endorse these appointments without seeing a clear and actionable plan to improve the deplorable living conditions faced by our police force,” Ssenyonyi stated
The Leader of the Opposition highlighted that many police officers are living in substandard conditions, which he believes undermines their ability to perform their duties effectively. He pointed out that police housing is often overcrowded and poorly maintained, leading to a myriad of social and health issues.
“Our police officers are expected to maintain law and order under conditions that are simply unacceptable. They deserve better,” he said.
Ssenyonyi also expressed concerns about discrimination within the force, particularly actions that target members of the opposition. He accused the police of being used as a tool for political oppression, citing numerous incidents where opposition members have been harassed and unfairly targeted.
“There is a clear pattern of discriminatory practices within the force, and this must end. The police should serve all citizens impartially, regardless of their political affiliation,” he remarked.
The opposition leader suggested that he might consider supporting the appointments if Byakagaba and Ochaya return with an extended contract and present a genuine commitment to addressing these issues. However, he emphasized that this support would be conditional on their demonstrable efforts to end discrimination and improve living conditions within the force.
“I am open to reconsidering my stance, but only if they show a true dedication to reforming the police force. Words are not enough; we need to see action,” he affirmed.The reluctance to endorse the appointments has drawn mixed reactions from various stakeholders. Some have praised Ssenyonyi for taking a principled stand on an issue that has long been neglected, while others argue that withholding support could hinder necessary reforms from taking place within the police force.
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In response, Abbas Byakagaba and James Ochaya both expressed their willingness to work with Parliament to address the concerns raised. They acknowledged the challenges within the force and committed to presenting a comprehensive plan aimed at improving conditions for police officers and ensuring fair and impartial policing practices.
“We are committed to making meaningful changes and look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to achieve these goals,” Byakagaba said in a statement.
The Appointments Committee is expected to reconvene to further discuss the appointments and the plans presented by Byakagaba and Ochaya. In the meantime, the spotlight remains on the leadership of the Uganda Police Force and their commitment to addressing these critical issues.
