The Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, has turned into an anti-corruption crusader. In his latest message, he has cautioned police officers to desist from corruption tendencies.
More recently, he condemned corruption and impunity in some state institutions and sent a message to young people to stand up against the corrupt, earning plaudits from fellow MPs.
“All of us in leadership, if we are accused of corruption, should be investigated. I have heard people accuse me of stealing government land; Njeru land administration is scientific. If you want to accuse Otafiire, go and investigate and come talk with facts,” Otafiire stated.
He made this statement while presiding over the graduation of 83 police officers from the Police Senior Command and Staff College in Bwebajja, Wakiso District.
Forty-three senior Police and Prisons Service officers completed the senior command and staff course (SCSC). Thirty-two officers obtained Master of Arts degrees in Peace, Governance, and Security, while eight received PhDs from the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE).
He challenged graduates to focus on training to maintain the institution’s goals and gain more skills.
“Please always report to the responsible offices as senior police officers. Have respect and morals. I don’t expect to see officers calling me and reporting to me again, yet there’s the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), regional officers, and district officers, among others,” Otafiire noted.
In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abas Byakagaba, advised the officers to be far away from corruption and to be ready to handle those who get involved in corruption.
“With your dedication and teamwork, we shall progress together by building a strong force, more resilient and effective, and ultimately, ready and able to deliver to the people of Uganda. I have great confidence in your abilities. Go forth, fly; the sky is no longer the limit, and make a difference in policing our beautiful country as we aspire to achieve Vision 2040 and the coming NDPIV,” he said.
Byakagaba told the graduates that there were opportunities for growth in the police. “This passout is the culmination of your hard work, and we are proud of your achievements. But in this regard, I call upon you further to ensure that what you have picked from this college is put on the ground to ensure that we reap what we have invested in.
