The curtains have fallen on the life of Sam Omalla, a colourful and dramatic officer who came to the limelight after he contained Dr Kizza Besigye during the walk-to-work protests in 2011.
Omalla, who had retired at the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, passed away this morning at Mulago Hospital, where he had battled cancer for more than six months.
He joined the Uganda Police Force in the late 1980s, rising through the ranks to become one of its most recognizable figures.
Known for his unwavering dedication, Omalla, 65, served as the Head of Operations at the Kampala Metropolitan Police, a role that placed him at the forefront of maintaining law and order in the capital city.
Yet his tenure was particularly notable during the 2011 walk-to-work protests, where he became a familiar face running after FDC activists.
In particular, he laid siege at Besigye’s residence in Kasangati, leading to a cat and mouse game with the former FDC honcho which became a source of good sound bites for the media and the general public.
Described as a “maverick” by some, he was unafraid to confront challenges head-on, often leading from the front lines.
He fell out with the police establishment and was transferred to the Busoga region, where he became the deputy commander of the field force unit there. He increasingly grew disgruntled and was later suspended by IGP Gen Kale Kayihura for unclear reasons.
He teamed up with Muhammad Kirumira, another ‘rebel’ police officer, and the duo became vocal about the lack of justice in the force. Kirumira was killed in September 2018.
In 2019, Omalla expressed interest in joining the political arena in 2021, but his ambitions did not materialize. He claimed that he had been blocked by the force.
In 2021, he retired from the force, and after a couple of years on the sidelines, Omalla transitioned to the private sector, taking on the role of Director of Operations and Deputy CEO at Arrow Security Systems, a security firm owned by Capt Mike Mukula.
Even in this capacity, he brought the same vigor and commitment that defined his police career, contributing significantly to the organization until his health declined.
Omalla’s battle with cancer was a private struggle fought with the same resilience he displayed in his professional life. Despite his prolonged illness, he remained a figure of interest among the public, and this year, there was a social media call to raise funds for his medical bills.
His passing today marks the end of the final chapter in Omalla’s eventful life. He is survived by three wives, 16 children and 39 grandchildren.
Details of his burial arrangements are yet to be announced, but his legacy will endure for some time.
