VP Alupo cautions police to exercise professionalism in NRM primaries

Pallisa, (UG):- The Vice President of Uganda, H.E. Jessica Alupo Epel, has challenged the police officers to exercise professionalism based on their training and never to deviate.

Ms Alupo made this pronouncement during the burial of the 1992 to 1989 IGP John Cossy Odomel at Amusiat village Boliso 1 sub county in Pallisa District on Saturday.

While asking people to rally behind President Museveni in 2026 following the agreement they made to endorse President Museveni during the PDM zonal monitoring, Alupo said police officers should emulate Odomel, who didn’t meddle up himself in politics of division.

“People are set for NRM primaries, but the interested aspirants are worried about police involvement. I was a victim in NRM primaries during previous elections where the Katakwi district police commander carried stamped ballot boxes to Kampala, giving a false testimony and evidence that I lost. When President Museveni heard of it, he asked me what happened. I told him I will focus on the final general elections because the people who vote are in their villages. Indeed I won I think the DPC got shame of his entire life”, Alupo said.

Alupo said it is not proper for police, who are meant to enforce the law, to cause political insecurity. She asked the IGP Abbas Byakagaba through his deputy James Ochaya to ensure sanity during the NRM primaries to avoid suspicion.

 Mr. Okello Herbert, who intends to contest for Agule county member of parliament, said the NRM electoral commission should reinstate joint campaign moderated by party officials.

On his part, His Highness Paul Sande Emolot, the Emorimor of Iteso cultural union appreciated government especially president Museveni for honouring the burial of Odomel as an official function.

Emorimor Emolot recollected how Odomel saved his life as a businessman and also his commitment to save the country.

“The gentleman we are burying nurtured me and was my advisor in cultural matters. During the six-month transition period after the death of Papa Emorimor Augustine Osuban, he was fully behind me in addressing kingdom matters,” Emolot said.

Gen. Okahinda Otafire the Minister of Internal Affairs in his massage read to the mouners by Hellen Grace Asamo the minister of state for people with disabilities in the line ministry of gender labour and social development praised Odomel for being patriotic in his service that enabled him to climb rank to becoming IGP at the age of 37 years.

MP David Ochwa, the Agule county member of parliament, described the death of Odomel as a blow to the district, describing the late as an influential figure of reference and encouraged most of them to do local investments.

“My Agule institute of health sciences and management resulted from the emulation I got from elders such as John Cossy Odomel and Papa Robert Irigei who had a potential to invest in Kampala but preferred to develop Pallisa,” Hon Ochwa stated.

MP Richard Osaku Oriebo of Kibale county, who steered the program during the burial, lauded Odomel for the love he had for the people of Pallisa and Bukedi as a region..

“I implore his children to emulate their parents and cause free socialization with the community. Muzei Odomel love Church and supported it’s programs”, MP Oseku said.