By Stephen Ojacor
PALLISA: President Yoweri Museveni has this morning saluted the former Inspector General of Police John Cossy Odomel for his contribution towards achieving peace and stability in Uganda at the time when all pillars of the State had collapsed.
Odomel passed away on February 18, 2025, in India due to cancer.
The president told thousands of mourners that in order to transform state pillars like the Police, judiciary, and civil service, he insisted on recruiting individuals who displayed a high level of integrity, patriotism and competence adding that the late John Cossy Odomel was well suited to this criteria, because he was not only educated, but also disciplined and patriotic.
“This is why I appointed him to head the Police in 1992,” Mr. Museveni said in a message delivered by the Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo during the official send-off of the late Odomel in Asiatic village, Pallisa district.
Museveni saluted the former IGP for overseeing the task of restructuring and transforming the Police, a move which helped to restore public confidence in the capacity of Police to enforce law and order in the community.
He emphasised that the NRM re-oriented the state structures to start serving the people’s interests.
He highlighted that without peace and stability, it is not possible to achieve development and social economic transformation.
Mr. Museveni reminded mourners that by 1986, all the pillars of the state had collapsed, and the small army that existed was terrorizing the population instead of protecting them and safeguarding their property
“The police was incapable of maintaining law and order; and the civil service was corrupt and incompetent. This terrible situation was on account of leaders exploiting the politics of identity by promoting the sectarianism of tribe, religion, gender,” he said.
He praised IGP Odomel for exhibiting good cooperation with the public as an important ingredient in law enforcement.
Mr. Museveni finally commiserated with the bereaved family during this trying moment and asked the Almighty God to to grant them courage and fortitude to endure your loss as the soul of the late IGP Emeritus-John Cossy Odomel rests in eternal peace.
James Ochaya, the deputy IGP told mourners, that as police fraternity, they have been shaken because they have two former IGPs in a space of one week. “These are great leaders and advisors we have lost,” he said while asking the church to pray for the uganda police force.
as they’re going through a very touch time.
Ochaya, who represented IGP Abbas Byakagaba said Odomel was a great man and highly professional.
“He was a distinguished law enforcement officer whose contribution to the country has left a great legacy, which we shall continue to emulate as a police force,” he said.
Emorimor Papa Iteso, HRH. Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot thanked President Museveni for granting Odomel an official burial.
Papa Sande also appreciated the Uganda Police for keeping Ugandans and their property.
Capt. Mike Mukula described the late Odomel as a dedicated law enforcement officer whose life was characterised with hard work and love for the country.
Mukula used the same platform to call for unity amongst the Ateker people as uganda gear up for the general elections.
