The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abas Byakagaba, has appointed Racheal Kawala as the new Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson, replacing Patrick Onyango, in a major reshuffle of the force’s public relations officers.
The changes, communicated through an internal message released on Wednesday evening, take immediate effect. Kawala, who has been serving as the Wamala Region Police spokesperson, is now tasked with overseeing communication across Kampala Metropolitan’s divisions North, South, and East.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone, as she becomes one of the few female officers to head the KMP public relations docket a position that demands high-level coordination with both media and senior police commanders.
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Outgoing spokesperson Patrick Onyango has been transferred to the Police Headquarters at Naguru, where he will head the Publications Department under the Chief Political Commissariat (CPC). Onyango, a seasoned public relations officer, has been the face of the Kampala Metropolitan Police for years, often handling high-profile briefings and security updates with firmness and clarity.
In her new role, Kawala is expected to build on Onyango’s legacy while deepening engagement with the public and improving the force’s image in the capital, where security and accountability remain hot topics.
Meanwhile, Lameck Kigozi has been appointed to replace Kawala as the Wamala Region Police spokesperson, continuing the cycle of transfers within the force’s communication structure.
According to police insiders, IGP Byakagaba’s reshuffle is part of a wider strategy to revitalize the police’s communication network, promote professionalism, and enhance information flow between the institution and the public.
“The IGP wants a more coordinated and proactive approach to police communication,” a senior officer at Naguru told this publication.

