Police chief Byakagaba urges private security companies to absorb 100,000 election constables

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Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba has encouraged private security organisations (PSOs) to take over the soon-to-be decommissioned election Special Police constables (SPCs).

The development follows the end of the General Election cycle, which the constables were recruited and trained to protect.

Police in October 2025 launched a nationwide recruitment exercise for 100,000 Election SPCs to strengthen security and support regular Police officers during elections. The SPCs were recruited on a three-month contractual basis and were deployed within their respective districts after a one-month training.

Members of private security organisations being addressed at Kitante Primary school in Kampala on January 3, 2026. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)

Byakagaba made the call at Police headquarters, Naguru in Kampala on February 4, 2026, while meeting the executive members of the Uganda Private Security Association, the umbrella body of the private security organisations. The Police chief said security organisations will have addressed their human resource constraints after absorbing the SPCs.

He also promised the organisations to offer Police training camps in different regions of Uganda, provide clothing, food, transport and medical services as part of the Government's support through the Police to bolster training and professionalisation of the private security organisations, not only for the Election Constables but all the Private Security guards in the country.

Offering logistical support, Byakagaba said, will help lower the cost of training of private security guards, which has been a hindrance to the programme and reduce pressure from some high-profile individuals seeking Police protection.

Byakagaba added that PSOs are an attachment to the Police and that no wonder the Government deems it fit to mandate them to operate and supplement the Police force.

He directed a committee to look into the modalities of training private guards by the Police, starting with re-training of SPCs and later the already serving and new private security guards.

Members of private security organisations being addressed at Kitante Primary school in Kampala 3 January 2026. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)

The announcement by the IGP was greatly welcomed by Uganda Private Security Association (TUPSA) executive members, led by their chairperson, Grace Matsiko, who said the offer is a strategic intervention by the Police and the Government in addition to some benefits the Police has been extending to PSOs to enhance their capacity, like procurement of weapons.

All TUPSA members present thanked the IGP for the offer and guidance and urged other PSOs to take advantage of the offer by submitting the number of SPCs they would wish to take up.

The meeting was attended Police director of operations Frank Mwesigwa, director of human resource development and training Moses Kafeero, logistics and engineering director James Aparo and acting commissioner of Police in charge private security and firearms Eddie Serujongi, among other Police officers, executive members and board members.