Uganda Police Force has revealed it plans to exhume and rebury the remains of Uganda’s first indigenous Inspector General of Police Wilson Erinayo Oryema in a special ceremony.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says the planned reburial of Oryema’s remains is meant to accord respect and honour to Uganda’s first post-independence IGP for ‘his selfless, 2014 at his ancestral home in Tangi, Nwoya district.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to grace the occasion which will be preceded by a public lecture at Makerere University on September 16 under the banner: “From Colonial policing to Community Policing. A Century of Achievements, Challenges and Transformation.”
Enanga says: “As Uganda Police Force celebrates 100 years, we cannot detach our existence, our every stride and success story from the firm foundation laid by our founding leader and officer Lt. Col Oryema for his selfless, passionate and patriotic duty. Oryema etched his name in the country’s annals of history and is credited for having shaped this journey that we are proud to celebrate.”
Oryema served as IGP between April 1, 1964 to February 1, 1971, a politically volatile period that was characterised with 1966 raid on the Lubiri.
After the 1971 coup by Amin that removed the Obote government, Oryema was appointed Minister for Water Resources (1971 to 1974). He was later handed the Lands, housing and planning docket before he was killed in 1977 by Amin’s murderous forces.
Enanga says the government has accepted to build a museum in Oryema’s honour and memory. According to IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura, the National Police Museum, set to be located at Kibuli Police Training School, will help in keeping the history of the police officers whose contribution had never been recognised.
Oryema is credited by people like former politician Rhoda Kalema, to have exhibited ‘heavenly image’ for his strict adherence to law and order.
