President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a stern warning to newly passed-out security officers to fiercely resist graft, declaring that his government is moving aggressively to crush the vice across the country.
The President delivered the warning on Friday during a joint pass-out ceremony for 10,017 graduates at the Police Training School (PTS) Kabalye in Masindi District.
The cohort comprised 9,952 Probationer Police Constables who completed 11 months of training at Kabalye and Ikafe training schools, alongside 65 Immigration Officers who finished a four-month induction course.
The President cautioned the recruits against yielding to unethical pressure from their superiors in the field.
“Don’t associate yourselves with corruption,” President Museveni warned. “Even if your bosses suggest it, tell them to suffer alone with corruption. The future is very bright for you if you remain honest.”
The Commander-in-Chief explained that public sector theft directly sabotages transformative national programs, including the Parish Development Model (PDM).
He noted that corruption routinely diverts vital public funds that could otherwise build specialized healthcare capacity within Uganda.
“I receive many appeals asking the government to help people seek treatment in India and Turkey for diseases like cancer and diabetes,” the President observed. “Why shouldn’t we use that money to strengthen our own systems here?”
Beyond integrity, the 82-year-old leader urged the officers to fiercely safeguard their personal physical fitness.
He noted that he felt energetic enough to join the rigorous karate and combat drills performed by the trainees during the event.
“Don’t play around with your health. Avoid alcohol, women (mabibi), and everything that can destroy your health. Keep yourself healthy through discipline,” the President added.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abas Byakagaba, revealed that the new constables expand the Uganda Police Force's total strength to 58,369 personnel.
He noted that the current force remains overwhelmingly male, with men accounting for 43,737 officers, or 74 percent of the establishment.
The IGP emphasized that the recruitment addresses a sharp national deficit, as Uganda's police-to-population ratio sits at one officer for every 839 citizens.
The figure falls far below the internationally recommended benchmark of one officer for every 500 people.
IGP Byakagaba thanked the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for fostering seamless joint operations between security agencies to maintain national stability.
“I want to thank the CDF, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his leadership in ensuring effective coordination among security agencies to keep Uganda safe,” Byakagaba said.
The police chief reported that the government has operationalized 1,231 sub-counties under its sub-county policing model, marking 56 percent nationwide coverage.
The force will deploy 8,200 of the newly passed-out officers alongside specialized communication tools to cover the remaining 960 sub-counties.
The IGP appealed for increased long-term funding, requesting executive authorization to recruit 3,000 police officers annually over the next five years.
The annual recruitment drive is needed to replace approximately 1,000 officers who exit the force each year through retirement and natural attrition.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, and the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, attended the ceremony alongside high-ranking security chiefs, lawmakers, and parents.
