Richard Onapatum, Kotido — Security operatives and the community in Karamoja have bid farewell to the Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO) Lt. Col. Frank Mutabazi.
The colorful event, organized by various stakeholders, took place at Travelers Corner Bar and Restaurant and featured numerous refreshments and nyama choma.
Sergeant Ongom Godfrey Lodwe, the proprietor of Travelers Corner Bar and Restaurant, thanked the security personnel and the outgoing RISO for making their work easier.
“Allow me to thank my RISO; he was a good supervisor and easy to approach,” said Ongom.
He commended Lt. Col. Mutabazi for being down-to-earth and approachable.
Senior Superintendent of Police Godfrey Achiria, the RPC Kidepo, who also served as the chairperson of the organizing committee, described the handover/takeover party as a dream come true.
“For starters, when I was posted to Kidepo, my handover/takeover party was held in the barracks with only ten people,” said Achiria.
He mentioned that upon taking over, he reached out to stakeholders and questioned, “We can’t continue like this.” The first handover/takeover party was for Deputy RPC SSP Lameck Kigozi, who was posted to Police Headquarters. Achiria thanked Lt. Col. Frank Mutabazi for running his term professionally.
“We worked as a team and shared information timely, until the situation here in Karamoja became relatively calm,” said Achiria.
He urged the incoming RISO to continue the work of pacifying Karamoja to achieve total peace.
Achiria applauded various stakeholders, notably Major General Don Nabasa, the 3rd Division Commander, for their financial support. As a regional police commander, he pledged total support and teamwork to the new RISO and expressed a desire to work again with Lt. Col. Mutabazi.
DISO Karenga, representing other DISOs and GISOs, Lokiru Paul Lawuda, quoted a song by Lady Kuku, which he felt was designed for him. He drew attention to the songs performed at the event, reflecting love and peace, and expressed how these sentiments related to the work of Lt. Col. Mutabazi.
“Duty is normal, just like a tour; it’s the nature of our work to be posted anywhere in this country. I wish him the best in his future endeavors,” he said.
He welcomed the new RISO to the region and promised to cooperate to achieve the desired goals.
LC.5 Kotido, Lotee Paul Komol, also known as Kacheri Boy, thanked the outgoing RISO Lt. Col. Mutabazi for being a supportive brother who endured hardships with them.
“We slept in the bushes together to fight cattle rustling. What a man; I will miss him,” he said.
He thanked the security operatives for their collaboration in advancing the agenda of the NRM and the president.
The outgoing RISO, Lt. Col. Frank Mutabazi, who is posted to Kigezi, noted that such activities were previously unheard of in Karamoja and expressed gratitude to the committee for organizing the handover/takeover party.
He especially thanked his team for their collective efforts and appreciated the UPDF for their hard work and cooperation.
He expressed his happiness and noted he would miss working in Karamoja. He advised the new RISO that most of the work by the UPDF had been accomplished and urged vigilance. He called on the GISOs to ensure that rearmament does not occur and to identify armed criminals to maintain relative peace.
He asked LC.5 Kacheri Boy to take the lead in combating rearmament.
“Tell those young men and boys that we cannot develop amidst insecurity. Nobody will invest where security is not guaranteed,” he said.
He expressed gratitude that his new posting has brought him closer to home.
The incoming RISO, Capt. Winyi, who will serve North Karamoja, appreciated the support from security operatives and shared his contact information to facilitate accessibility. He requested the same level of guidance that was accorded to his predecessor.
Deputy RDC Joel Magezi Lokiru Lukochi thanked the organizing committee and praised RPC Achiria for his leadership.
“Because of the relative peace, one can now enjoy life in Karamoja,” he noted.
He thanked the RISO for his support and commended him for his drive and ability to foster peace in Karamoja. He also thanked all security agencies for their commitment and welcomed the incoming RISO to the region.
The Guest of Honor, Brigadier General Wilberforce Sserunkuma, the Deputy Commander of the 3rd Division, appreciated the tireless efforts of the organizing committee and thanked the 405 Brigade and GISOs for their continuous efforts.
“To be sincere, I was promoted and appointed because of your cooperation,” he noted.
He thanked the outgoing RISO for his time and wished him the best in Kigezi. He emphasized that the peace enjoyed in Karamoja was the result of significant sacrifice and urged everyone to work together to maintain it.
He praised the outgoing RISO for his outstanding and hardworking contributions, and also thanked Ongom for his exceptional efforts in organizing the event, requesting a similar event be organized for him.
He urged the new RISO to step into the outgoing RISO’s shoes and emphasized the importance of teamwork and spreading the message of peace.
