UGANDA: BEHIND 'IGP' OCHOLA'S SUDDEN CHANGE OF TONE

 

By CHANGE OF GUARDS

  "......... whoever causes trouble will regret why his or her mother gave birth to him or her.  We have been beating Journalists to restrain them from going where there is danger.  We beat Journalists to help them; for their own safety.  When a Police Officer tells you to stop, you must stop for your own safety.  I won't apologize for police actions but we shall continue helping you not to go where there is danger."

       Police Chief, Okoth Ochola - last week.

Museveni's figurehead Police Chief, Martin Okoth Ochola was reputed for being a moderate and professional in the execution of his mandate.  He registered the sympathy of citizens for being a figurehead Police Chief while his more powerful juniors were the ones running the show.  It is against this background that during the recent earmarking by the USA of a number of top police chiefs including his Deputy for gross human rights violations.  Obviously, within the  top regime circles, the development must have generated a lot of controversy.  The loyalty and ideological commitment of Okoth Ochola must have been placed under scrutiny.   He must have been accused of not being aggressive enough is the suppression of political dissenters.  Therefore, his recent conspicuously unfortunate outbursts are designed to express his loyalty to the regime.  He is trying to roll in the 'mud' so as to get soiled in order to match the color of his colleagues and hence proving his loyalty.  In the same regard, the country is yet to witness the worst of him.  

INFORMATION IS POWER AND THE PROBLEM OF UGANDA IS MUSEVENISM