The leadership of the police  has submitted a proposed budget of 2.5 trillion Ugandan shillings for the upcoming financial year.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Thursday, Police Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi explained that this budget would support the implementation of President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to shift policing efforts to sub-counties. Museveni instructed the police to decentralize their personnel from urban areas to sub-counties, aiming to bring law enforcement closer to communities and curb rural crime.

The president noted that farmers have been suffering due to theft of their crops, livestock, and other valuables. Criminals have taken advantage of the lack of police presence in rural areas, making it easier for them to operate.

Although Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba launched the sub-county policing initiative six weeks ago, several challenges have already emerged. One major issue is the reduction of police numbers in greater Kampala, a high-crime area, where personnel has been cut in half to accommodate the new model.

Wunyi proposed the recruitment of 10,000 additional police officers to effectively implement this model, estimating the cost at 43 billion shillings. Uganda has over 2,184 sub-counties, town councils, and municipalities, all of which require police stations. Based on Byakagaba’s plan to assign 18 officers per sub-county, the force would need approximately 39,300 officers.

Currently, Uganda’s police force consists of about 49,000 personnel, including officers in general duty, counter-terrorism, traffic, detectives, and other specialized units. However, many senior officers and those in non-operational roles may not be deployed at sub-county levels, reinforcing the need for new recruits.

Byakagaba also emphasized the need for proper housing for officers stationed in sub-counties, estimating construction costs at 849 billion shillings. Police housing has been a longstanding issue, with multiple reports highlighting the poor conditions officers live in.

In addition, 72 billion shillings has been allocated for constructing police offices, including a new headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, as well as regional and district offices. Another 480 billion shillings is earmarked for purchasing vehicles to improve mobility and emergency response.

To enhance security in rural areas, the police plan to spend 40 billion shillings on motorcycles for village patrols. Additionally, 100 billion shillings is needed for fuel, 77 billion for modern communication equipment, and nearly 500 billion for officers’ salaries.

Prime Minister Nabbanja suggested that costs could be reduced if communities voluntarily provide land and construction materials, emphasizing that all Ugandans should contribute to making police operations more effective in fighting crime.

It remains uncertain whether Parliament will approve the 2.5 trillion budget, as no police leadership has previously secured such a large amount. Former IGP Martin Ochola, who led the force for six years, repeatedly requested trillion-shilling budgets but never received them.

Furthermore, President Museveni recently cautioned against increasing police recruitment due to the financial burden of salaries and housing. He advised IGP Byakagaba to focus on technology and alternative strategies, citing the success of surveillance technology in ending the Masaka machete attacks in 2021.