By Rogers Wanambwa 

KIU, Main Campus - Over 3,000 policemen and women got promoted by the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola.

As it is, such a procession was last held during the term of General Kale Kayihura. Several officers have been expressing disappointment with police leadership for not conducting promotions despite the Police Council having recommended for resumption of the exercise in 2019.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, revealed that over 3,097 lower rank police offices had been promoted. 

“We would like to inform the public that the IGP, in exercising delegated powers from His Excellency the President, has promoted 3,097 subordinate officers to various ranks,” Enanga said in a statement.

Accordingly, the ranks indicated in the statement include Inspector of Police (IP), Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP), Sergeant (SGT), and Corporal (CPL). Of the promoted officers, 2,566 are males while 531 are female.

Enanga clarified that promotion was based on performance, current responsibility, leadership abilities, command abilities, time spent on rank, discipline, patriotism, and integrity. Other considerations are the length of service in the force, level of education, career courses attended, a record of service, and physical fitness among others.

“We want to add that out of a grand total of 11,823 subordinated police officers recommended for promotion to the next rank by their territorial commanders, 3,097 were successfully vetted in consideration of the key parameters indicated above,” Enanga added.

Of the promoted officers,  336 officers were promoted from the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) to Inspector of Police (IP). The promoted officers according to the Appointments Committee had stayed on the rank for 10 years and above. Other AIPs had served in the force for 32 years but with nine years on the rank of AIP, including officers from formed units were successfully vetted.

Others promoted include 404 officers who were promoted from the rank of Sergeant to AIP and those promoted had stayed on the rank of Sgt for 10 years and above. The police officers with 31 years experience who had spent nine years on the rank of Sgt, plus officers in formed units and specialized units, were successfully vetted.

Corporals promoted to sergeant are 1,099 and had stayed on the rank for at least nine years whereas 1,258 police constables have also been promoted to the rank of corporal. The promoted constables had served for at least 14 years and above.