The Uganda Police Force is in deep mourning following the death of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Charles Kataratambi, a distinguished legal expert and dedicated servant of the nation’s security.

Kataratambi, who only last month was promoted to the rank of AIGP by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, passed away leaving behind a legacy of integrity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to justice.

AIGP Kataratambi’s death was confirmed early this morning by Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kituuma Rusoke, who described the loss as, “a profound blow to the force and the country at large.”

In a somber statement released from police headquarters in Naguru, Rusoke noted that Kataratambi succumbed after a brief illness, though further details were withheld pending notification of family members.

“He was not just a leader but a mentor whose counsel shaped our legal framework and protected the rights of all Ugandans,” Rusoke said.

Kataratambi who was appointed as Head of the Legal Directorate in recent years, played a pivotal role in navigating complex cases involving human rights, counter terrorism, and internal police reforms.

His tenure saw significant advancements in the force’s adherence to international legal standards, including contributions to high profile investigations such as the Equity Bank fraud scandal in 2017, where his expertise as a senior detective was instrumental.

Kataratambi’s meteoric rise within the police ranks culminated in his promotion to AIGP on September 4, 2024, alongside six other Senior Commissioners of Police, including Frank Mwesigwa, Moses Kafeero, and Hadijah Namutebi.

The elevation, announced by President Museveni, recognized his exceptional service as Director of Human Rights and Legal Services, a position he assumed amid a broader reshuffle aimed at strengthening civilian oversight in the force.

At just over a year into his new rank serving on the standard three-year contract for younger AIGPs, Kataratambi had already begun spearheading initiatives to integrate digital forensics into legal proceedings, a move hailed as forward thinking in Uganda’s evolving security landscape.

Kataratambi joined the police in the early 2000s, quickly distinguishing himself through his legal acumen. He trained alongside notable figures such as the late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi and current leaders like SCP Charles Asaba, forging bonds that underscored his collaborative spirit.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba, who appointed Kataratambi to key roles during his tenure, referred him to as “the backbone of the legal armor, a man whose wisdom prevented miscarriages of justice time and again.”

Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by the Uganda Police Force, with a state funeral tentatively scheduled for 05th October, 2025, at the Kololo Independence Grounds, followed by burial in his ancestral home in western Uganda.

In the interim, Deputy Director of Legal Services, SCP Erasmus Twaruhuukwa, has been named acting head of the directorate to ensure continuity.