3,979 constables complete training in Yumbe as police emphasise discipline
According to Okabo, all the recruits successfully passed their examinations, qualifying them for the pass-out and deployment to serve communities.
AIGP Joseph Obwona (centre) with Yumbe district leaders, police senior officers and new Probationer Police Constables in a group photo after the pass out at Ikafe PTS on Friday. ( Photos by Adam Gule)
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At least 3,979 new probationer police constables have completed their training at Ikafe Police Training School in Yumbe district amid a strong call for them to uphold discipline and integrity.
The officers are part of the 9,952 probationer police constables who completed the 25th intake of the police recruitment exercise across the country under the theme, "Collaborative Training Towards People Centred Service for Social Economic Transformation."
During the pass-out ceremony held on June 26, 2026, SSP James Okello Okabo, the commandant of Ikafe Police Training School, said the training began on August 1, 2025, and lasted 11 months.
He said the recruits underwent both theoretical and practical training in various modules of the recruit constable curriculum.
According to Okabo, all the recruits successfully passed their examinations, qualifying them for the pass-out and deployment to serve communities.
"This group has been a very interesting one. We have had them since August 1 last year. We took them through various modules presented to us for recruit constable training," he said.
"These officers passing out today are well-trained, disciplined and resilient. They all passed both their written and practical examinations," Okabo added.
The probationer police celebrating
In line with the Uganda Police Force’s women empowerment policy, Okabo said 1,391 of the graduates are female officers, while the rest are male.
He added that the recruits were trained by 191 instructors, including 145 field trainers, while the rest specialised in disciplines such as medical services and other areas.
As he bid farewell to the graduates, Okabo urged them to remain hardworking at their duty stations in order to safeguard their jobs and earn promotions.
He also advised them to protect themselves against diseases such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.
Okabo further encouraged the officers to continue acquiring knowledge and skills to improve their service to the public.
The director of Interpol and international relations, AIGP Joseph Obwona, who presided over the mini pass-out ceremony at Ikafe Police Training School as chief guest, commended the graduates for their endurance and perseverance throughout the training.
Obwona cautioned the officers to maintain high levels of discipline and integrity throughout their careers.
He noted that discipline plays a significant role in career progression within the police force.
"Always report to work on time and do not carry out arrests without the knowledge of your supervisors," he advised.
He also warned the newly passed-out officers to be cautious while interacting with senior officers at their duty stations, saying not all of them would offer a warm welcome.
Obwona further urged the officers to reject corruption and avoid greed while executing their duties.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, speaking during the main national pass-out ceremony at Kabalye Police Training School in Masindi district, said the addition of 9,952 officers would increase the Uganda Police Force personnel by 20.5 percent, from 48,417 to 58,369.
He revealed that 8,200 of the newly recruited officers would be deployed under the sub-county policing policy.
Byakagaba added that the current police-to-population ratio stands at one officer for every 839 people, compared to the international standard of one officer for every 500 people.
He recommended that at least 3,000 police personnel be recruited annually over the next five years to bridge the staffing gap.