Kugonza Replaces Nuwabiine As Traffic Director

Acting Director of Traffic Police Senior Commissioner of Police Lawrence Nuwabiine has been fired from his role.

Nuwabiine’s dismissal was confirmed by Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba in a recent Police reshuffle. Nuwabiine, who has been replaced by Senior Commissioner of Police Franklin Kugonza, had served in the role for three years. Part of the reason he was in an acting capacity for almost three years is attributed to the fact that he’s still at the rank of Senior Commissioner of Police.To head a Directorate of Police, an officer is expected to be at the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police. This was the same issue with Nuwabiine’s predecessor Basil Mugisha.

On the other hand, Kugonza leaves the police mechanical workshop to join traffic.Nuwabiine previously served as Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police Commander. However, in 2014, former IGP Kale Kayihura sacked him and placed him on the infamous katebe. Katebe, loosely translated to a seat, is a condition where an officer isn’t deployed.

Nuwabiine’s time at the helm of traffic police has been riddled with both positive and negative sentiments. A memorable event was the sacking of officers in charge of the express penalty scheme last year. These officers were said to have been involved in the theft of EPS ticket cash. However, following an investigation, they were absolved of any wrongdoing.