The Uganda Police Force is seeking Shs362 billion to monitor the 2026 general elections.
Aggrey Wunyi, the Under Secretary at Uganda Police, said the funds will be used to recruit and train new staff, as well as buy vehicles.
Police want Parliament to have an initial budget of Shs181Bn availed in the 2024/25 budget.
“Elections are slated for January 2026, preparations are however required to commence early to avoid shocks that come with elections such as unlawful riots. This will require a provision of Shs362b and this will be phased in two stages with an initial provision of Shs181b to kick start the process,” he told MPs on Thursday.
“This stage will cover the following; recruitment and training of personnel, initiating the procurement of general-purpose transport equipment and specialized machinery and equipment,” noted Wunyi.
The request was made when Police officials appeared before Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee to defend the 2024/25 national budget.
Uganda Police Force also asked Parliament to provide Shs7.714Bn for the purchase of the new electronic number plates for the Force’s fleet, with Wunyi noting, “Government undertook to electronically register all vehicles to curb incidents of insecurity and lawlessness that are exploiting transport industry. Each vehicle requires Shs750,000 to be registered. UPF has a fleet of 10,245 vehicles and would therefore require Shs7.714Bn.”