The Democratic Party (DP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) parties have blamed President Museveni for appointing Abbas Byabagaba as Inspector General of Police (IGP), who had retired from police at the expense of a sizable number of qualified serving police officers in Uganda.

According to Ismail Kirya, the acting DP Spokesperson, numerous serving police officers in Uganda would be promoted to such positions, revealing that it can even encourage others to work hard to qualify for such positions.

“Byabagaba is good but is retiring; let us try to motivate these young serving officers who are still of serving age. We don’t see any reason why you brought back a person who retired a long time ago to lead the Uganda police. This is already a bias created in the police,” Kirya said.

“The reason why we had a replacement for the Inspector General of Police is that Ochola retired, and now Museveni has recalled another officer who had retired, and we are asking ourselves, doesn’t Uganda Police have another senior serving officer who can occupy that position?” Kirya asked.

Kirya made the remarks during a weekly press conference held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at City House in Kampala.

According to John Kikonyogo, the FDC party Spokesperson, Museveni’s decision to appoint Byakagaba as IGP has demoralized other serving police officers.

“Because we all work, hoping for promotion. It will hurt you more if they promote someone who has retired over the age of 50 at the expense of someone who is working day and night hoping for a promotion,” Kikonyogo said.

He added that it looks like Museveni passed a vote of no confidence for the rest of the serving police officers.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, Museveni appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police (Rtd) Abbas Byakagaba as Inspector General of Police, replacing Martin Okoth Ochola, who retired two months ago.