As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) is requesting Shs157 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year budget to facilitate the recruitment of probation police constables (PPCs).
With the elections scheduled for January 2026, the force’s Under Secretary, Aggrey Wunyi, emphasized the need for 10,000 new recruits to maintain law and order during the electoral period. However, he expressed concern that the proposed allocation of Shs58 billion for this recruitment leaves a funding gap of Shs99 billion, which he warned could jeopardize peace and security during the elections.
Wunyi made this appeal while addressing the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, as he presented the police force’s budget request.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, led the team of security officials at the meeting, which was chaired by Hon. Wilson Kajwengye.
Wunyi further cautioned that police officers might struggle to conduct motorized patrols during the elections due to financial constraints. He revealed that although Shs189 billion is required to procure fuel, only Shs55 billion has been allocated.
Additionally, he noted that election-related investigations would also be hindered by funding shortages. Out of the required Shs60 billion for these investigations, only Shs6.4 billion has been budgeted.
“There will be a critical need for swift investigations to address incidents arising during elections, yet we are facing a significant funding deficit,” Wunyi remarked.
Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, also voiced concerns over the budget shortfalls, stating that they undermine the force’s ability to uphold law and order effectively.
He attributed the funding gap to the lack of financial support from other government programs, explaining that while UPF’s mandate spans multiple National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) initiatives, it only receives funding from three of them.
“My appeal to this committee is to advocate for UPF to be considered for funding under additional NDP IV programs. This would help bridge the financial gaps in the police force’s budget,” Byakagaba stated.
On his part, Minister Otafiire commended the police for their role in crime reduction, noting that reported cases decreased from 228,074 in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024.
“With your continued support for expanding the CCTV surveillance system to rural areas, alongside other measures such as the sub-county policing model, I am confident that criminal activities will be contained,” Otafiire assured.
Committee Chairperson, Hon. Kajwengye, underscored the importance of adequately financing the police in the lead-up to the elections.
“The 2025/2026 period is critical. It is a time when we shall hold elections, reaffirming our democratic principles as a nation. Given this, the role of the police is central to ensuring a smooth electoral process,” Kajwengye emphasized.
