In a decisive move to resolve ongoing institutional tensions, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered the National Police Service (NPS) to immediately transfer all payroll and human resource (HR) functions to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). The directive aims to uphold constitutional mandates and restore proper governance within the police service.

The order was issued by PAC Chair and Butere MP Tindi Mwale, who directed Inspector General (IG) Douglas Kanja to relinquish all HR-related duties to the commission without delay. Mwale emphasized that this compliance must be immediate and confirmed in writing by NPSC CEO Peter Lelei.

“This committee orders you, the Inspector General of Police, to hand over all the payroll and human resource functions to the commission immediately and not in one week,” Mwale stated during the session. “We want to make sure that the Constitution is followed to the letter.”

The action follows an Auditor General’s report revealing that NPSC has been unable to perform its constitutional roles due to being denied access to essential documents. Committee members sharply criticized IG Kanja and accounting officer Bernice Lemedeket for undermining the commission’s authority, dismissing claims of a harmonious working relationship as misleading.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera and Aldai MP Maranne Kiitany were particularly vocal, questioning the IG’s continued tenure after what they described as clear constitutional violations.

IG Kanja, facing strong rebuke from MPs, pledged to comply with the committee’s orders, while NPSC CEO Lelei has been instructed to confirm receipt and implementation of the functions.

This move marks a significant step in re-establishing the legal and operational framework between the NPS and NPSC, reinforcing the commission’s authority as the constitutionally mandated employer of police officers.