Eldard Mugume, the Commissioner of Police, was a few days ago remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of abuse of office.
The case stems from allegations that he irregularly recruited six women as Police Special Constables (SPCs).
Our Reporter has accessed extensive documentation relating to the recruitment of these women. Records show they were brought into the Force more than 15 years ago, at a time when the Police was shifting from a manual payroll system to an electronic one.
According to the documents, Police management at the time sought University students with knowledge of ICT and Human Resource to support data entry and manage the new payroll system. The recruits were engaged at the SPC rank, each earning Shs195,000 per month.
By Police regulations, SPC is the lowest rank in the Force, ordinarily reserved for those with at least an S.4 qualification.
In 2011, six university students — Lizzie Namulinda, Aisha Namukasa, Lilly Birungi, Jasper Ekyoheirwe, Pearl Kainembabazi, and Eva Amumpaire — were formally recruited into the Personnel and Human Resource Department of the Police Force.
Each received an official appointment letter, though their entries were made at different intervals.
Their recruitment was communicated in an August 25, 2011 letter signed by then AIGP Richard Bisherurwa on behalf of the Inspector General of Police. Interestingly, that appointment list contained other names, including Ruth Naisa, Carla Anyiny, Mark Muhame, Bwiza Bibian and Elizabeth Aero, who are not subjects of the current Anti-Corruption Court inquiries.
Two years later, on February 13, 2013, the Police Advisory Committee (PAC) chaired by then Deputy IGP Martins Okoth Ochola, later Inspector General of Police, approved that the appointees be regraded.
Records show 16 senior officers attended the meeting, including Mugume. The then IGP, Gen. Kale Kayihura, and three directors — AIGP Elizabeth Muwanga (Welfare), AIGP Grace Turyagumanawe (Operations), and SCP Lemmy Twinomugisha — were absent with apologies.
The minutes reflect discussions on the need to regrade the graduate SPCs, noting that they had completed university and were overqualified to remain at SPC level.
“PAC noted the need for the officers to undergo basic police training as they are going to be given police ranks. PAC adopted the presentation and referred the matter to the relevant committee to make the necessary appointment of the six graduate SPCs to inspectorates,” the minutes read.
A follow-up meeting on February 27, 2013 at Police Headquarters, chaired by CP Patrick Isabirye with Lillian Waidha as Secretary, reaffirmed the regrading. Records show that Mugume did not attend this second meeting.
The committee agreed that, due to staff shortages in Human Resource and the demonstrated competence of the recruits, the graduates should be regraded and appointed Inspectors of Police.
They were also required to undergo police training to familiarize themselves with Standing Orders and regulations.
Historically, SPCs are engaged for specific assignments and often leave after completing them. However, regrading of SPCs into inspectorates has long been a standard practice within the Police.
Records indicate that the six women, following their regrading and subsequent police training, remained in service and have since risen through the ranks, with some now serving as Assistant Superintendents of Police. Others who began as SPCs were absorbed into mainstream Public Service.
Yet, anonymous sources claim Mugume became a target of powerful interests in the Force.
It is alleged that he clashed with senior officers who attempted to manipulate HR records to extend their service by altering dates of birth and thereby continue drawing salaries past retirement age.
One source remarked: “No single officer has the power to recruit independently. That is why the charges against Mugume surprise many of us, because the procedures were documented and approved at the time.”
The regrading of SPCs remains in practice today, raising questions as to why a procedure long considered lawful and operationally necessary is now being criminalised in this case.
Mugume is facing charges of abuse of office over the recruitment of the six SPCs, with prosecutors alleging he recruited them in 2013 and directly elevated them to Inspector of Police.
Court records, however, suggest otherwise. He is expected back before the Anti-Corruption Court on September 2, 2025, as investigations continue.
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