Police to recruit 25,000 personnel to strengthen Force

By Charles Kakamwa

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Andrew Kaweesi has said the force targets to increase its numbers from the current 40,000 to 65,000 personnel to effectively execute its work.

Kaweesi, who is also the director of police operations, said Uganda Police needs more personnel given the current population, which is over 34 million, according to the recent national population and housing census figures.

“We still have a shortage but the situation has improved and will get better with time,” he said, adding that an additional 4,000 police trainees are expected to boost the numbers upon completion of their course next month.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday put advertisements in the media announcing the recruitment of Police cadet officers and constables in January 2015.

Speaking during a visit to Njeru division Police in Buikwe district last week, Kaweesi noted that the 65,000 officers would bring the Police to population ratio to one policeman for every 523 people.

“This will greatly improve the nature of policing in the country,” he said.
 

Kaweesi (centre) with Mpiima at Njeru Police station Buikwe. (Photo credit: Charles Kakamwa)

Kaweesi stressed that the Police was moving away from the colonial model to the modern system of community policing.

He commended residents for partnering with the Police to fight crime. He had earlier toured a staff house being constructed by the Police in conjunction with residents at Njeru Police Station.

The deputy IGP then commissioned a pit latrine at Nyenga Police Post built by the Police with help of the community and Naminya Community Police Post in Wakisi sub-county that was constructed by the residents.

The district Woman MP, Dorothy Mpiima, noted that improved security was critical for the area, given its location on the proposed Kampala-Jinja express highway.

Lawrence Lubanga an elder in Naminya parish, Wakisi subcounty, however, wondered why the Police are reluctant to enforce the laws passed by Parliament.

“This Parliament has passed a law against smoking in public and homosexuality, but it has not been implemented yet we pay the legislators big salaries to do such work,” he complained.


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