Uganda may realign security sector after police purge

Subject

The impact of recent police arrests.

Significance

A series of recent arrests of senior police officers -- some of them reportedly close to powerful Inspector General of Police (IGP) Lieutenant General Kale Kayihura, a fierce regime loyalist -- appears to have exposed a network of rogue elements that abuse their formal positions to perpetrate crimes, allegedly including murder, armed robbery, extortion and kidnap. Investigations have revealed parallel chains of command in Uganda’s security sector and the existence of far-flung mafia-style networks with the power to defy the presidency.

Impacts

• Relations with Rwanda may be complicated by the charges against senior officers over the kidnap of a Rwandan dissident.
• Allegations related to illegal repatriation of refugees could negatively impact donor funding.
• New revelations in the high-profile investigation into Assistant IGP Andrew Kaweesi could prompt further arrests.