A ceremony organised to decorate 14 police officers from West Nile region who were recently promoted to various ranks, took a different twist on Friday when the senior officer assigned to do the job used the opportunity to drum support for President Yoweri Museveni.
The Inspector General of Police Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura last week promoted over 500 police officers including 14 from West Nile. Out of the 14, one was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, seven to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police, 5 Superintendent of Police and one was elevated to Assistant Superintendent of Police.
Sam Okot Araa, the northwestern regional police commander who was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police, told the officers that it is the President who promoted them not the IGP.
He said the promotions were based on establishment of their former ranks, individual performance in their various assignments and level of education because now police is going in for modernization not as it used to be in olden days based on the number of years served by an officer.
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Araa asked the officers to work hard to protect the government that has promoted them and give maximum respect to the leaders. He warned officers who during daytime pretend to belong to government and at night move to the other side that they will be followed and that they risk being demoted.
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The RPC however warned the officers against becoming corrupt and using their positions to extort money from the civilians they are supposed protect saying their promotions are not yet confirmed.
The officers who were promoted promised to work hard to protect people and property. Peter Okuja, the Zombo district police commander who spoke on behalf of the promoted officers, asked the RPC to extend the appreciation to the IGP for their promotions because it is a good motivation for them and those who are behind them.
