President Museveni has appointed former Chief of Military Intelligence, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, as the new Chief of Joint Staff of Uganda Police Force.
Maj Gen Kandiho replaces Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba who has been appointed the Ugandan Delegate to the South Sudan Peace Monitoring Mechanism.
The development comes four days after Maj Gen Kandiho, on February 4th, handed over the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) office to Maj Gen James Birungi.
Museveni recalled Gen Kandiho who he had sent to monitor on behalf of the guarantors, the assembling, screening, demobilization and integration of the armed forces of South Sudan.
Kandiho was removed from CMI office last month and had been posted to South Sudan as the head of security monitoring mechanism.
His removal from CMI came days after a highly-billed visit to Rwanda by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the UPDF Land Forces commander.
Kigali had been citing and demanding the removal of Maj Gen Kandiho and it claimed that under his watch, CMI operatives engaged in human rights abuses, including kidnap, torture and imprisonment of hundreds of Rwandans in Uganda.
IGP OCHOLA WELCOMES HIM
The Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth Ochola has applauded President Museveni for appointing Maj Gen Abel Kanidho into the Police Force as the Chief of Joint Staff.
Ochola said yesterday evening that he looks forward to working with Major General Kandiho, in overseeing, guiding and delivering strong leadership that supports the vision, mission and values of the force.
Ochola also congratulated Gen Bakasumba upon the new appointment but also applauded him for the service to police for the time he has served as Chief of Joint Staff.
The recalling of Gen Kandiho who was two weeks ago moved from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and sent to South Sudan took many by surprise since such decisions are rare.
However, those with knowledge about security have welcomed the move saying it is meant to further ensure the country is safe.
