KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Police Force plans to reclaim all patrol vehicles currently assigned to government ministries and agencies. The move aims to address a critical shortage of operational mobility within the force, Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ochaya told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday.
The recall is part of a broader reform strategy to improve resource allocation and enhance law enforcement nationwide. Ochaya informed the committee that the police are drafting a cabinet memorandum to define specific categories of individuals entitled to police guards and patrols.
This decision comes amid increasing concern from members of Parliament regarding the misuse of security resources by non-core users. Lawmakers argue this practice has hindered the police’s capacity to perform essential community policing duties.
During the PAC meeting, which included Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi, police leadership also responded to queries from the Auditor General’s report for the 2023-2024 financial year. A significant issue highlighted was a shortage of motorcycles, crucial for the sub-county policing model and community-level outreach.
The report indicated the force needed 4,368 motorcycles for operational use but only had 952 functional at the time of the audit, leaving a deficit of 3,416. Wunyi noted that while improvements have been made, a shortfall of 970 motorcycles remains.
Legislators also questioned the force’s practice of leasing police helicopters to civilians, arguing it could compromise operational readiness. Police officials defended the policy, stating it contributes to non-tax revenue for the government. However, MPs expressed disappointment with the performance of the Police Helicopter Piaggio P180, which they claimed had not met its objectives.
The planned vehicle reallocation and the upcoming policy on eligibility for police escorts signal a major shift in how the Uganda Police Force intends to manage its strained resources amidst growing public demand for efficient and responsive policing.
