Uganda Police has assured the public that 10,000 police constables currently undergoing training ahead of the January 15, 2026 elections will not be armed while on duty at polling stations.
Speaking on Thursday in Kayunga District, Joseph Oduma, Ssezibwa Regional Training Officer, said the recruits, who are specifically prepared for election security, will carry only batons for personal protection and basic crowd control.
‘They will not be allowed to be armed with guns. The only tool they will carry is a baton for protection in case of any eventuality,’ Oduma said.
He emphasized that their role is primarily to maintain order, guide voters, safeguard electoral materials, and ensure peaceful conduct during voting.
Fully trained and armed officers will be stationed to supervise and respond to emergencies when needed.
‘Each polling station will have officers who are trained and armed to respond to any incident. The recruits are to support, not confront the public,’ Oduma added.
Over 2,000 constables are currently in training in the Ssezibwa region, forming part of the nationwide effort to prepare 10,000 recruits to assist the Electoral Commission in delivering a credible and peaceful election.
The training stresses human rights observance, lawful use of force, crowd management, election security protocols, and community engagement, according to police sources.
Oduma said the decision to deploy unarmed recruits is deliberate to reduce risks and prevent escalation during voter interactions.
‘These recruits are trained on human rights laws and the proper conduct expected of officers in a democratic election. Their presence is to create a sense of safety, not fear,’ he said.
Ssezibwa Police Spokesperson, Ms Hellen Butoto, explained that the recruits were sourced from within local communities, with verification by local leaders, and will serve in areas where they are familiar, enhancing trust and cooperation with residents.
Training is expected to continue for several weeks before the recruits are deployed nationwide, ahead of Uganda’s general elections where voters will decide both the presidency and parliamentary representation early next year.
The presidential race has eight candidates including incumbent Museveni, his closes challenger in the 2021 poll, Robert Kyagulanyi, and former military chief Mugisha Muntu.