The late Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Major Gen. Paul Lokech will be remembered for making four crucial changes in the police force, the Political Commissar, Assistant Inspector General of Police-AIGP, Asan Kasingye has revealed.
Lokech who served in the police force for eight months succumbed to a blood clot in his lungs on Saturday last week. His remains will be laid to rest on Friday at his ancestral home in Baibir village in Pader District.
Speaking to media about the legacy of the deceased in the police force, Asan Kasingye revealed that the “lion” of Mogadishu as the late general was fondly known introduced four major changes, which have improved police operations. He noted that Lokech brought a lot of wealth and experience, which eased tension in police operations right from the village to city levels.
“The experience and swiftness of Major general Paul Lokech was observed in how police operations were conducted in the attempted assassination of Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala.
Adding that, “you saw the urgency in police operations and focus that was placed in those operations. I was not surprised how they quickly traced and got those elusive criminals that attacked Gen. Wamala and killed his daughter in an ambush in June that was experienced.”
Kasingye explained in the past, Police used to spend a lot of time in meetings planning on how and who should handle what, which affect the results.
According to Kasingye, the late Lokech also took a decision to send back all District and Regional police commanders for refresher training to understand their roles.
Kasingye also revealed that the late Lokech reintroduced the signalling branch to allow the force to communicate differently. He explained that whereas Lokech found a functional Information and Communication Technology-ICT directorate in the police force, he told them it wouldn’t help much in this digital era where they communicate on the same platform with criminals.
He also notes that the late Lokech had a big heart for the welfare of junior officers, saying this is the only way they can fight corruption.
One of the duties of the deputy inspector general of Police is being in charge of the police finance and budgeting process.
According to Kasingye, Lokech guided the team well and refocused police expenditure on police stations and police posts by ensuring that officers have all they need for their operations to improve efficiency.
