In a decisive move aimed at boosting its operational efficiency, Police has announced plans to withdraw all patrol vehicles currently allocated to government ministries and agencies.
The decision comes as the force grapples with a growing mobility crisis that has severely impacted its ability to serve communities, particularly at the grassroots level.
The revelation was made by Deputy Inspector General of Police, James Ochaya, during an appearance before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Ochaya explained that the reallocation of these vehicles is part of a broader reform strategy targeting the use of police escorts and patrol units across the country.
“We are preparing a cabinet memo that will define the categories of individuals entitled to police guards and patrols,” Ochaya told the committee.
His comments followed concerns from MPs over the continued misuse of government security resources and the strain it has placed on the force’s core functions.
The PAC session also featured Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi, who joined police leadership in addressing audit findings raised in the Auditor General’s report for the 2023/2024 financial year.
A central point of contention was the dire shortage of mobility tools under the sub-county policing model a model considered essential to community safety and law enforcement outreach.
According to the report, the police force needs 4,368 motorcycles to operate effectively at sub-county level.
However, only 952 were functional at the time of the audit, leaving a gaping deficit of 3,416. Wunyi updated the committee, saying the situation has improved slightly, with the current shortfall standing at 970 motorcycles.
Questions were also raised regarding the police’s practice of leasing out helicopters to civilians a move some MPs criticized as compromising operational readiness.
Police officials defended the arrangement, explaining that it helps generate non-tax revenue for the government.
Still, lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Police Helicopter Piaggio P180, which reportedly failed to meet its intended targets.
The planned withdrawal of vehicles from ministries, alongside efforts to regulate who qualifies for police escorts, marks a significant policy shift in how the Uganda Police Force manages its limited resources.
