Ex-police commander Sam Omala succumbs to cancer
He was known for his role in the 2011 walk-to-work protests led by opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye
Ex-police commander Sam Omala who hailed from Tororo district, joined the force in 1980.
Umar Kashaka
Journalist @New Vision
Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sam Omala has succumbed to cancer at the age of 64.
His former boss at Arrow Security Systems Ltd, Capt. Mike Mukula announced his death on Monday (April 28) via the social media platform X.
He said Omala died at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala at 7:00am after a long battle with cancer.
Omala was the deputy chief executive officer and director of operations at Arrow Security Systems Ltd.
Mukula, who also serves as the ruling party’s vice-chairman for the eastern region, said funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Omala, who hailed from Tororo district, joined the Police in 1980 at the rank of Constable and rose through the ranks to become ACP.
He rose to prominence during the "walk to work" opposition protests that started following the general election in February 2011.
At the time, Omala was the Kampala North Operations Commander and led the Police deployment at the then opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye’s home in Kasangati, Wakiso district.
The "walk to work" protests were staged by the opposition Action For Change group against alleged corruption and the high cost of living.
Omala is survived by over 12 children and more than eight grandchildren.