Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni has extended renewed contracts of the country’s police chief and chief jailer for a period of three years each.

If approved by parliament, Gen Kale Kayihura and Johnson Byabashaija will run the police and prisons respectively until 2020, just one year to the general elections – and the end of Museveni’s fifth term in office.

Kayihura’s contract was due to expire in October while that of Byabashaija would end in June.

The others whose contracts have been renewed include Kayihura’s deputy, Okoth Ochola, and Byabasahaija’s deputy, James Mwanje, also for three more years.

On March 14, Museveni wrote to Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga: “The Police Authority and Prison Authority have recommended the following officers [Kayihura, Byabashaija, Ochola and Mwanje] for renewal of contract.

“In line with Article 213 of the Constitution, I hereby nominate the officers for renewal of contract for three years.”

Kayihura is under intense pressure regarding the wave of crime in the country that also claimed the force’s hitherto publicist AIGP Andrew Kaweesi, his body guard and driver in March.