Uganda Police: Proposes New Senior Rank, Five-Zone Command

• The Uganda Police Force is introducing a new Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police rank.
• The force will reorganize regional policing into five empowered zones starting in 2027.
• Each new zone will be led by an officer senior to a Regional Police Commander, with authority over personnel, logistics, and operational decisions.
• IGP Abas Byakagaba emphasized the need for real empowerment of commanders with adequate resources.
• The police will expand their annual crime report to include operational activities and institutional reforms, shifting towards proactive crime prevention.

Each of these new zones will be led by an officer holding a rank superior to that of a Regional Police Commander, granting them significant autonomy.

The Uganda Police Force is set to implement a significant restructuring of its command system, introducing a new senior leadership position and reorganizing its regional operations into five distinct zones. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba publicly presented these proposals on Thursday during a meeting with senior commanders at the Police Headquarters in Naguru. This comprehensive overhaul aims to enhance the force's operational efficiency and accountability across the nation.

The proposed new rank, to be designated as Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (Senior AIGP), will establish an additional tier within the existing Uganda police command structure. This position is intended to sit above the current Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) rank, which is presently the highest substantive rank held by officers leading various directorates. The IGP indicated that while the force requires an additional level of command, the objective is to maintain a relatively small number of officers at the very top echelons.

The introduction of the Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Uganda will create a new leadership layer positioned between the AIGPs and the offices of the Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police. Currently, the IGP and Deputy IGP are presidential appointees, distinct from substantive police ranks. Below the AIGPs, the hierarchy includes Senior Commissioners of Police, followed by Commissioners of Police, and then Assistant Commissioners of Police.

This Uganda Police Force restructuring is the outcome of an extensive institutional review, building upon a similar exercise conducted more than a decade ago. IGP Abas Byakagaba police reforms are designed to cultivate a leaner, more accountable leadership framework that is better aligned with the force's substantial size and operational demands. The strategic placement of this new rank is a key component of this broader effort to refine the force's managerial capabilities.

A pivotal aspect of the impending changes involves the reorganization of regional policing into five broad Uganda regional policing zones, slated to commence in 2027. The Kampala Metropolitan area will retain its existing status as a zone, with four additional zones being established across the remainder of the country. Each of these new zones will be led by an officer holding a rank superior to that of a Regional Police Commander, granting them significant autonomy.

These zone commanders will possess the authority to mobilize personnel, manage logistics, allocate funds, and make critical operational decisions within their respective areas. IGP Byakagaba underscored the necessity of genuinely empowering commanders, cautioning that new titles and responsibilities would be ineffective without adequate resources. He stressed that commanders, from district police commanders to officers in charge of stations, must be equipped with the necessary support, such as transport, to effectively respond to incidents and execute their duties. The IGP cited the example of deploying an officer to a remote district, noting that such an assignment is futile without essential logistical backing.

Beyond command structure, the force is also advancing an infrastructure program, which includes plans for multi-storey accommodation for personnel, with proposed 23-storey blocks. Further enhancements include a dedicated police hospital and a modern forensic laboratory. The Canine Unit is also undergoing reinforcement, having already secured ten vehicles and planning to acquire an additional 40 to bolster detection and tracking operations nationwide.

IGP Byakagaba also announced modifications to how the police report their performance to the public. The annual crime report, traditionally focused on statistics related to offenses like murders and road crashes, will be expanded. Future reports will encompass a broader spectrum of police activities, including operations, community engagements, and institutional reforms, providing the public with a more comprehensive understanding of the force's work.

The IGP challenged commanders to transition from a reactive policing model, which primarily responds to crimes after they occur, to a proactive approach centered on crime prevention. He urged them to strengthen systems for intelligence gathering and investigations as fundamental components of this forward-looking strategy. This shift reflects a commitment to anticipating and mitigating criminal activity rather than solely addressing its aftermath.

Legal practitioners should be aware of the impending restructuring of the Uganda Police Force, particularly the creation of five empowered regional command zones and the new Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police rank. This shift may alter operational decision-making, resource allocation, and the relevant points of contact for legal matters involving law enforcement across different regions, potentially impacting how investigations are conducted and cases managed.

Source: Original reporting via The Monitor