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Police Budget Faces Significant Cuts Amid High Demands for Crime Prevention, Investigation

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Police Budget Faces Significant Cuts Amid High Demands for Crime Prevention, Investigation
IGP Abas Byakagaba

The average cost of investigating serious crimes is estimated at Shs16 million per case, with the Police handling over 4,000 capital cases each year.

The Uganda Police Force (UPF) is set to experience a substantial reduction in its budget for the fiscal year 2025/26.

The Force could see its spending drop from Shs928.118 billion in FY 2024/25 to Shs895.22 billion.

The reduction includes a Shs5.5 billion cut in the non-wage budget and a drastic Shs27.39 billion decrease in the development budget.

These cuts are poised to have a severe impact on the Police Force’s crime prevention, investigation efforts, and the ongoing need for infrastructure improvements.

The largest portion of the budget decrease will come from the development budget, particularly affecting the Assistance to Uganda Police Project, which has been removed from the Public Investment Plan.

However, despite this setback, the government has allocated Shs47.891 billion for new projects, including the Police Accommodation Project.

A major concern raised by police officials is the non-wage recurrent budget cut, which could significantly hamper the UPF’s capacity to prevent and investigate crime.

Notably, no funds have been allocated to address arrears that have accumulated to Shs112.954 billion. This includes costs related to criminal investigations and staff recruitment, among other essentials.

The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CIID), which is critical in addressing serious crimes like murder, fraud, and human trafficking, will see a slight reduction in its budget from Shs41 billion in FY 2024/25 to Shs39.7 billion in the coming fiscal year.

The budget cut comes despite a growing need for investigative resources.

The average cost of investigating serious crimes is estimated at Shs16 million per case, with the Police handling over 4,000 capital cases each year.

Further compounding these challenges, the UPF is grappling with the absence of sufficient personnel to handle the increasing crime rate.

The police-to-population ratio is projected to remain at 1 officer per 898 people in FY 2025/26, far exceeding the international standard of 1:500.

This shortfall will continue to place enormous pressure on an already overstretched police force.

One of the key programs under threat due to budget cuts is the CCTV Phase II Project, aimed at expanding camera coverage in major cities, towns, and along highways.

An additional Shs30 billion is required to implement and maintain the CCTV system, which would address current gaps in surveillance and enhance crime prevention efforts.

However, due to the budget cuts, this expansion is likely to be delayed.

The police also need additional funding for specialized operations, including the K9 Unit and crime intelligence, with an estimated deficit of Shs21.978 billion for FY 2025/26.

The K9 Unit, which supports law enforcement by tracking criminals, requires an additional Shs2.259 billion to expand to new regions across Uganda.

Similarly, crime intelligence efforts will be underfunded, with a gap of Shs6 billion in its budget for the next fiscal year.

The UPF’s accommodation needs are also a significant issue. With no progress made on the police housing project for FY 2023/24, which remains excluded from the Public Investment Plan, the force is struggling to provide adequate housing for its officers.

While the Ministry of Internal Affairs has outlined plans to construct 69,000 housing units for UPF personnel through a public-private partnership, the immediate goal for FY 2025/26 remains the construction of 120 apartment blocks in Entebbe and Jinja Barracks.

These projects are expected to cost Shs12 billion, but it remains unclear if the funds will be available.

Additionally, a Shs1 billion budget has been allocated for the completion of a 24-unit apartment block at Kira Police Barracks, along with Shs2.601 billion for factory equipment to build precast concrete housing units.

In another area of concern, the Traffic and Road Safety department, which manages the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) and oversees road safety measures, has been allocated just Shs6.214 billion for FY 2025/26.

This funding remains grossly insufficient considering the country’s high accident fatality rate—currently 10 per 100,000 people.

Each year, over 4,500 lives are lost in road traffic accidents, with an additional 14,968 individuals severely injured.

To address this crisis, the UPF has highlighted the need for additional traffic patrol vehicles and motorcycles, requiring an extra Shs7.577 billion.

The Uganda Police Force's financial constraints come at a time when crime rates are on the rise, and the demand for improved security services is greater than ever.

The lack of adequate funding to recruit new officers, enhance investigative capacity, expand crime prevention infrastructure, and address housing needs is raising concerns about the police’s ability to effectively maintain law and order in the country.

Despite these challenges, the UPF has pledged to continue its efforts to improve policing services, though experts warn that without proper funding, the Force’s ability to safeguard the public will be severely limited in the year ahead.

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