The Inspector General of Police General Edward Kale Kayihura on Thursday night made a mini reshuffle of senior police officers, which has been received by the people of Kisoro with mixed reactions, with some describing it as a New Year gift.
In the shuffle, Kigezi Regional Police Commander Ben Mubangizi who is currently on training was replaced by ACP Paul Nkore who has been in Tourism police.
The embattled Kisoro District Police Commander Edgar Akankwasa and the OC CIID Stephen Musinguzi who are facing investigations, were replaced by Charles Okoto, the OC station Bundibujyo (new DPC Kisoro) and ASP Innocent Mubangizi (formally OC CIID Nakaseke) who now takes over as Kisoro OC CIID.
The transfer of the two officers has attracted celebrations from a section of people in Kisoro.
The officers were being accused by locals led by Chairman LC5 Abel Bizimana of freeing suspects handed over to them before conducting investigations.
Recently, these petitioned the IGP over the security situation and misconduct of the two officers.
DPC Akankwatsa was also being accused of shielding gun men that have been killing and robbing people in Kisoro district.
Abel Bizimana, the Kisoro LC5 chairman welcomed the transfer of the police officers, saying that it was long overdue.
He said he hoped that the new police leadership will not follow in the footsteps of their predecessors.
He also called for the transfer of the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) whose judgment he said was being clouded by local rich people.