Politics 11 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Otafiire laments police insubordination in farewell address
Outgoing Internal Affairs Minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire has expressed frustration over the conduct of some Uganda Police Force officers who he claims consistently disregarded his instructions. He stated this during his handover ceremony. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-didn-t-listen-to-me-otafiire-says-in-farewell-address-5493136
Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, the outgoing Minister of Internal Affairs, has voiced significant disappointment with certain members of the Uganda Police Force for what he describes as a persistent failure to adhere to his directives.
During his farewell address at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Thursday, Gen Otafiire openly stated that his tenure was marked by challenges stemming from some police officers who repeatedly ignored his instructions, even after multiple warnings. “You tell them, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do this,’ and later you hear they have gone ahead and done exactly that,” Otafiire remarked.
Gen Otafiire, who has been appointed to the Ministry of Water and Environment, handed over his duties to his successor, Professor Ephraim Kamuntu. He identified the Police Force as one of the most challenging institutions he managed, citing instances where attempts to influence decisions were thwarted by officers who either disregarded advice or withheld crucial information.
He revealed that despite being misled or denied information, he often chose a path of quiet observation. “I knew what was happening and I kept quiet. I allowed events to unfold,” he explained, likening his strategy to giving individuals enough rope to hang themselves.
In contrast, Gen Otafiire commended other departments under his ministry, specifically the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control and the Uganda Prisons Service, for their commendable performance and stability. He praised the immigration leadership for driving reforms and possessing the institutional memory vital for efficient service delivery.
He also lauded the Uganda Prisons Service as one of the most stable institutions he oversaw, requiring minimal intervention. Gen Otafiire concluded by emphasizing his leadership philosophy: empowering technical staff to perform their duties without undue political interference and advocating for patience and strategic thinking, akin to a leopard’s stealthy approach to hunting rather than a lion’s overt display.