Colonel Henry Obbo has officially assumed office as the new Deputy Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya. He takes over from Maj Bilal Katamba, who has been nominated to attend the prestigious Senior Command and Staff Course.

The handover ceremony was presided over by the Director of Defence Public Information, Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, who praised Maj Katamba for his exemplary service in strengthening the image of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) as a people-centred army.

“When given responsibility, don’t ask why, but do it with commitment and dedication,” Maj Gen Kulayigye advised, urging staff to embrace humility, discipline, and the spirit of learning. He reminded officers to value constructive criticism, adding: “Always love people who correct you.”

Maj Katamba, in his farewell remarks, expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership for entrusting him with the role and thanked Maj Gen Kulayigye for his mentorship, while appreciating the teamwork and cooperation of staff in the department.

Col Obbo, in his acceptance speech, pledged to consolidate the achievements of his predecessor and deepen collaboration across government institutions. “I will deepen and widen teamwork, cooperation, and collaboration with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” he said. 

He also acknowledged the mentorship of Maj Gen Kulayigye, describing him as “a mentor who has nurtured many officers” and emphasized the importance of leadership continuity within the force.

Col Obbo is a seasoned Public Information officer in the UPDF and previously served as the Army’s 3rd Division Spokesperson in Moroto, where he was widely recognized for effectively communicating security operations in the Karamoja sub-region. He also served as the UPDF 1st Division Spokesperson in Kakiri and played a key role in strengthening civil-military relations through open and transparent communication.

Known for his professionalism and calm demeanor, Col Obbo has often been at the forefront of clarifying security matters to the public, a role that has earned him respect within the media fraternity. His appointment is seen as a reinforcement of the UPDF’s commitment to maintaining credibility, transparency, and public trust.

As he steps into his new role at MODVA headquarters, Col Obbo brings extensive field experience, communication expertise, and a reputation for fostering cooperation between the army and the civilian population, qualities expected to further strengthen the image of the UPDF both locally and internationally.

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The Uganda Police Force has unveiled Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for crime scene examination in cases of trafficking in persons, with an aim of strengthening investigations and securing justice for victims.

The launch, held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, was presided over by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) James Ocaya and brought together key stakeholders in the criminal justice system, including all Regional Forensic Services Scenes of Crime officers.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Andrew Mubirua, the Acting Director of Forensic Services, underscored the centrality of crime scenes in uncovering trafficking networks.

“In every case of trafficking, the crime scene is where the truth begins to emerge. It may be a hidden house, a border crossing, a vehicle, or even a digital environment. Mishandling scenes or losing evidence helps traffickers, harms victims, and undermines justice,” Mubirua said.

He explained that the SOPs were developed by the Uganda Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and partners to give officers and first responders a clear, practical, and standardised guide to handling trafficking cases.

“Human trafficking survivors often carry deep trauma. By handling crime scenes with professionalism and sensitivity, we shall reduce the need for repeated testimony and minimise re-traumatisation. Evidence, when properly secured, can speak powerfully on their behalf and allow survivors to heal while justice takes its course,” Mubirua added.

Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, Head of Austrian Embassy Development Cooperation, noted that securing credible evidence was vital in dismantling trafficking rings.

“To achieve justice, we must also secure high-quality evidence. Human trafficking cases are complex: perpetrators are often organized, crimes are hidden, and victims may be too traumatized or afraid to testify,” she said.

In his address, DIGP Ocaya stressed that the fight against trafficking in persons required professionalism at every stage of the justice chain.

“Combating trafficking in persons requires more than just arrests of the perpetrators — it demands that every step, from the report, prosecution, and adjudication, is handled professionally and with integrity, while observing the rights of the victims. The crime scene is the theatre where this precision begins, and where the truth is secured. If the scene is mishandled—through contamination, procedural error, or oversight—we risk losing irreplaceable evidence, weakening prosecutions, and denying victims justice. This is why today’s launch matters,” Ocaya said.

He emphasised that the SOPs should not remain theoretical documents but must be applied consistently across the country.

“These SOPs are not for the shelves. They are operational tools, and their value will only be realised when they are used consistently and competently across the country. The implementation of these SOPs will significantly improve the quality of investigations, reduce dependence on vulnerable victim testimony, and increase successful prosecutions of traffickers,” he said.

The guidelines call for enhanced capacity building for investigators and prosecutors, as well as community sensitisation to expose the methods traffickers use. They also encourage the use of digital records, financial trails, travel documents, forensic data, and credible witness statements to build strong cases.

Ocaya noted that evidence handling is the foundation of justice in trafficking cases.

“The crime scene is the foundation of truth and precision in any investigation. Mishandling it—whether through contamination, errors, or negligence—means losing vital evidence, weakening prosecutions, and ultimately denying justice to victims,” he said.

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