Erinayo Wilson Oryema

Erinayo Wilson Oryema CPM (1 January 1917 – 16 February 1977) was a Ugandan police officer and politician. He was Uganda's first African Inspector General of Police (1964–1971), and later served as Minister of Land, Mineral, and Water Resources (1971–1974) and Minister of Land, Housing and Physical Planning (1974–1977) under the regime of Idi Amin.

In February 1977, Oryema, together with Archbishop Janani Luwum and Interior Minister Charles Oboth Ofumbi, were assassinated by Amin's security forces.

Career Erinayo Wilson Oryema began his career as a teacher. In 1935 he graduated from Buwalasi Teacher Training College in Mbale, after which he was posted to Gulu Primary School in Northern Uganda. He taught at the primary schools in Gulu and Kitgum between 1936 and 1939, and later became School Master.

Erinayo Wilson Oryema then enlisted in the Uganda Police Force in 1939. A year later he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and the following year to Sub-Inspector. During World War II, he enlisted in the King's African Rifles Regiment and after the war ended, he returned to the Uganda Police Force. He made Inspector of Police in 1951, and was listed in the Queen's birthday honours in 1952, receiving the Colonial Police Medal for exemplary service. He was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1954, and in 1956 to Deputy Superintendent.

When the colonial government started identifying African officers to take over the leadership of the force, Oryema was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in 1961, and the following year to Senior Superintendent of Police, then to Assistant Commissioner of Police. In 1963 Oryema was appointed the first African Deputy Inspector General of Police, and the following year, Inspector General of Police. He served in that capacity until 1971. In 1971, Oryema was appointed Minister of Minerals and Water Resources, and from 1976 he served as a Minister of Lands, Housing and Physical Planning.

The official account describes the trio as being killed in a traffic accident while trying to overpower their driver.