Background of Uganda Police Force

Background of Uganda Police Force

Below is the History of the Uganda Police

Uganda Police history began in 1899 with the establishment of the Uganda Armed Constabulary. The institution has undergone extensive metamorphosis since those early beginnings. The current Uganda Police Force was eatablished under Article 212 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. It is charged with advancement and enhancement of peace, stability, order and adherence to the rule of law.

The police force
In 1986, President Museveni inherited a police force of 8,000 men. A screening exercise was done and of the 8,000 men only 3,000 qualified as police officers. The government augmented this force by contracting 2,000 retired Police Officers.
However, at 5,000 the force was too small to maintain law and order, hence, President Museveni ordered the NRA to support the police efforts in the matters of internal security. He also announced plans to upgrade police training and equipment as well as increase the force to 30,000 personnel.
Achievements under the Police
a) Capacity building
• In December 1989, President Y. K. Museveni directed Police to resume full responsibility for law and order in all districts except lira, Apac, Gulu, Kitgum, Moroto, Kotido, Soroti and Kumi where anti-government rebels were active. He also ordered the NRA to end the internal security mission.
• In 2001, the police was restructured creating 25 departments and introducing the rank of Commissioner of Police to head the departments. It also created five directorates and introduced the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) to head them. In 2008, a major restructuring of the police force was undertaken in which the 5 directorates were expanded to 11, including Kampala Metropolitan Police and the departments were expanded to 58.
• In 2009, 465 cadet officers were recruited to boost the police force.
• In order to improve on their skills, the police has been training at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi and in Kampala.

b) Professionalising the police force
In October 2005, President Museveni appointed Major General Kaihura as Inspector General of Police and tasked him to professionalize the police force. In line with the task, the following were done;
• The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) based in Bukoto in Kampala was established in July 2007. The PSU was formed to initiate and conduct investigations leveled against police officers and discipline them.

• The police force now has 16 different uniforms. Each unit has a unique uniform unlike in the past.
• The police headquarters is being built at Naguru.
c) Police discipline
• Discipline is now paramount and every officer is always expected to exhibit proper conduct. The police have a strict code of conduct which every officer must abide with. The Police Act, standing order and the  government standing orders form the basis of the code.

d) Keeping law and order
• Today the police force stands at 38,000, so with the current population of 33 million people each police officer is guarding 868 people.
• Keeping law and order has improved through-out Uganda.