The Democratic Party (DP) has commended Martin Okoth Ochola’s service to the country as the former Inspector General of Police (IGP).

While addressing members of the press on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the Democratic Party acting Spokesperson and President for the Uganda Young Democrats, Ismail Kiirya, hailed the outgoing IGP as a man of integrity who has served his country diligently.

“We also want to congratulate Afande Martin Okoth Ochola for his service as IGP. There is no need to militarise the police because we have seen the tenure of Ochola to have been relatively peaceful compared to the past IGP tenure,” Kiirya said.

Kiirya asked the serving police officers to emulate Ochola and preserve his legacy. On Ochola’s legacy, Kiirya asked the appointing authority to appoint a police officer as the next IGP, not a military officer.

“Once the head of police is a police officer, we register fewer criminal actions compared to military heads. Let the President appoint another IGP who is a police officer so that we don’t militarise the police force; that way, we can get good service like for Afande Ochola,” he said.

Martin Okoth Ochola handed over office to the Deputy IGP, Major General Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi, on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Police Headquarters in Naguru after the expiry of his contract.

Ochola was appointed the IGP on March 4, 2018, and served for six years after replacing General Kale Kayihura, who had served in the same position for 13 years.