1st African Inspector General of Police

The Spirit of Peace.

Erinayo Wilson Oryema was born in 1917 to Victoria Abum Daramoi, daughter of Dwoka Adat(Blacksmith), and Owiny Okoli(Payira).

He joined Gulu Junior School, and it is here his leadership skills were first witnessed.

Later in 1935 he graduated from Buwalasi Teacher Training College in Mbale, after which he was posted to Gulu Primary school. It was here that he met his future wife, Janet Manjeri Acoyo, daughter of Lasto Olum, and Abwoyo P'Wali of Palabek, Kitgum. She qualified at neighbouring Kabwangazi Teacher Trainig College. They taught at the same primary schools in Gulu and Kitgum between 1936 and 1939, where E.W. Oryema was Headmaster.

They married in 1937, at St Phillips Church, Kitgum. Among the guests was Acholi Chieftain (Laloyo Maber), the late Pilipo Adonga, who went out of his way to surrender his Royal Robes to E.W. Oryema as a sign of support and approval at this auspicious occassion.

E.W. Oryema left teaching and joined the Uganda police force in March 1939, a constable selected for training as a sub-Inspector. The course however came to an abrupt end at the onset of WWII. He served on secondment to the Kings African Rifles and considered joining the army, "but the Police Commissioner dragged me back into the police", he said.

E.W. Oryema was rapidly promoted through the ranks becoming Assistant Superintendent in 1954, and later Senior Superintendent, before being made Deputy Inspector General early in 1963. He attended Britains renowned Peel Centre (Police Training Academy) at Hendon, as well as Brownshill near Coventry. He spent three months at the International Police Academy in Washington, U.S.A. He also trained in Israel, graduating with a paratrooper's wing.

With his vast knowledge in police administration, it was no suprise he was appointed the first African Inspector General of the Uganda Police on the 17th April 1964 by then Prime Minister, the late Dr Apollo Milton Obote. E.W. Oryema succeeded Michael Macoun who became advisor to the Uganda Government, before leaving the country for Britain in September 1964.

His appointment was announced at a Press Conference in Entebbe, by Obote, saying the new Chief of Police would command a force of 6000 men and women, a force hardly adequate for the country's needs. However, 1962 to 1969 was a remarkably safe period, with crime levels at an all time low, and offenders being dealt with efficiently through the courts. There was also discipline within the force, with the annual exercise of the Police Review.

E.W. Oryema left the police in January 1971, the beginning of police decline in Uganda.

After the coup which saw Obote unseated during a conference in Singapore, he was appointed Lt. Colonel in the Uganda Army, commanding the Tiger Battalion at Mubende. He also accepted the post of Minister of Land, Water, and Mineral resources.

He was murdered together with Arch Bishop Janani Luwum, and Minister Oboth Ofumbi.

E.W. Oryema's spirit lives on, a beacon of light to his descendants.

By Okoli Oryema Mutambuuka Ruyansi Baguma Rushaya.

Reference:
Erinayo Wilson Oryema, A Memoir by Gertrude Auma Oryema.