Anti-Corruption Unit Head Brig Gen Isoke Urges Police To Clean House Amid Rising Public Distrust

By Spy Uganda

At a time when public trust in Uganda’s law enforcement continues to be tested, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, has issued a renewed call for ethical leadership within the police force. Addressing officers from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Professional Standards Unit, and Canine Unit at the Uganda Police Training Facility in Kikandwa on Thursday, Isoke emphasized that the fight against corruption must begin within the police itself.

Rather than simply condemning corruption in the abstract, Brig. Gen. Isoke placed responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the officers in attendance. “You are the face of justice,” he told them, “and when you fall short, the entire system suffers.” His lecture comes amid ongoing concerns about police abuse, misuse of authority, and growing public dissatisfaction with law enforcement conduct.

While praising efforts to instill ideological discipline in the force, Isoke also tied the message to broader national values espoused by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM)—namely patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy. These values, he suggested, should guide the ethical compass of every police officer.

In a politically charged moment, Brig. Gen. Isoke went on to applaud Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his supposed hardline stance on corruption in the military. The endorsement is notable given Gen. Muhoozi’s recent controversial statements and alleged involvement in human rights abuses—issues that have raised alarm among rights groups and international observers.

By commending Muhoozi, Isoke appeared to reinforce the military’s image as a corruption-resistant institution, in contrast to public perceptions of the police. This juxtaposition raises questions about institutional accountability and whether such comparisons motivate reform or deepen mistrust between branches of the security apparatus.

The SH-ACU head also acknowledged the efforts of the Inspector General of Police and the CID director for organizing initiatives aimed at ideological orientation—an approach the government has increasingly relied on to combat internal corruption.

Isoke concluded with a strong appeal to officers to act as role models, stating that “integrity among detectives is not just important—it is essential for the country’s stability.” He called for tighter cooperation between anti-corruption bodies and the police, advocating for teamwork over territorialism.

Brig. Gen. Isoke was accompanied by SH-ACU’s Head of Investigations, D/SSP Fred Lumala, and was officially welcomed by ACP Doka Ramadan, Commandant of the facility.

While the message delivered in Kikandwa aligns with the government’s anti-corruption narrative, critics argue that true accountability requires more than ideological training and public lectures. With public figures increasingly using state power to settle political scores, as evidenced by recent events involving opposition figures, some view such speeches as hollow unless backed by meaningful action and independent oversight.

Nonetheless, Isoke’s address signals the government’s ongoing effort to publicly position itself as committed to integrity, even as it grapples with the realities of enforcement and political loyalty.