Outgoing Internal Affairs Minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has delivered a blistering farewell critique of the Uganda Police Force, accusing some senior officers of frustrating his work, disregarding his directives, and withholding critical information throughout his tenure.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony to the new Internal Affairs Minister, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, Otafiire opened up about what he described as a difficult working relationship with sections of the police leadership.
The veteran politician and bush war fighter revealed that tensions within the force escalated after the departure of former Deputy Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Tumusiime Kasigazi in 2024, making it increasingly challenging for him to effectively supervise the institution.
“I have issues with them, the Uganda Police Force. Some of them were not listening. You tell them, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do this,’ and later you hear they have gone ahead and done exactly that,” Otafiire said.
He further claimed that some police officers deliberately kept him in the dark on key matters despite his position as the minister responsible for the force.
“You remember, I would call them here and ask, ‘Gentlemen, what happened?’ At one point, they denied me information. What they did not know is that I am an intelligence officer. Everything that was happening, I knew,” he added.
Otafiire’s remarks came as he officially handed over the Internal Affairs docket before taking up his new role as Minister of Water and Environment, following his reassignment by President Yoweri Museveni.
His candid revelations have once again brought to the surface long-standing concerns about coordination and accountability within Uganda’s security agencies. The comments are also likely to revive debate over previous controversies involving police operations, corruption investigations, and the implementation of government CCTV projects.
As one of the National Resistance Movement’s most outspoken and influential historical figures, Otafiire’s explosive exit remarks are expected to spark fresh discussions about leadership, discipline, and transparency within Uganda’s security establishment.
