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A total of 2,232, election police constables drawn from the districts of Zombo, Nebbi, Pakwach, and Madi-Okolo, have received stern warnings against misconduct, including bribery, extortion of civilians, unlawful arrests, abuse of authority, and excessive alcohol consumption as they excercise their three months duty to maintain peace during the election period. Zombo district had 726 , Nebbi had 724 , Pakwach had 412, Madi-Okolo had 370, Females constables were 650 and male were 1,582.
This warning was made during their pass -out ceremony at Kyambogo University training ground in Paidha town council, Zombo district on Friday December 19 , 2025, after two weeks of intensive training as the constables are set to be deployed at a ratio of two per polling station to provide site security and crowd management during the electoral period.
Chief guest Festus Ayikobua, Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, commended the constables for their dedication to national service while reiterating prohibitions on human rights violations and breaches of professional conduct.
“ when you go out there, you think that nobody is seeing you. I want to tell you, the moment we get you extorting money, my dear, even if you have not got the first salary, we shall sack you. We shall also take you before the law. So I want to request you, when you are going to do your night patrols, let us not be taken by devil. By extorting money, by beginning beating people, by beginning asking for why people are moving at night. In Uganda, we are only there to protect people” Ayikobua stated.
He added ” The position your carrying is the national position, the uniform you’re going to use is the national uniform, be aware” warning against abusing the uniform with heavy drinking that will demean the force urging them to behave, advising the constables to use the opportunity to serve the nation with teamwork, adding that the security and safety of campaign materials will rely on them.
Their curriculum encompassed police organizational structure, human rights compliance, civic education, standard operating procedures, and Uganda’s electoral legal framework and their three-month temporary deployment commences in December 2025, covering January and February 2026, in support of nationwide election security operations.
West Nile Regional Police Commander SP Latif Zaake stressed adherence to the rule of law, warning that any involvement in criminal activities would result in prosecution and accountability measures.
“They have told me there are no criminals here. I told you the other day once you join the force, one leg is in prison, one is outside prison. That means that from today onwards you are under command and under the disciplinary code of conduct of the security forces. If you commit a criminal offense using the uniform we shall take up criminal charges against you” SP Zaake warned, lauding the constanbles for going through the process saying ” serving in the uniform is a patriotic service” adding the key reason is to engage them in the “security of the polling station”
He encouraged the commanders to give appropriate command to the constables whereever they will be placed advising that “Identify commanders who are capable to manage these constables,”
SP Job Mutegeki, District Police Commander of Zombo, disclosed that the two-week intensive training cohort included 650 female and 1,582 male constables, adding the constable strength in the West Nile sub-region to 5,144.
The election police constable will be deployed two per polling stations with battons not guns and the graduation of these Election Police Constables marks a significant step toward ensuring the safety and security of citizens during the electoral process.
The youthful trainees went through a two weeks intensive training to equipt them with more skills to beef up the existing security personel that will maintain law , peace and order in the forthcoming 2026 Ugandan general elections and they The trainees who will be deployed will be immediately deployed to their respective areas after their pass-out are Nebbi 724 from Pakwach 412 Madi-Okolo 370 and Zombo district 726 .
The West Nile Regional Police Commander SSP Latif Zaake said the election constable per polling stations saying West Nile Sub region terrified 5144 highlighting how competitive the selection was saying over 10000 applied for the positions.
North West Nile ceremony
Meanwhile from North West Nile Subregion, A total of 1,570 Election Police Constables Male: 1,080 Female: 490 have successfully graduated and the ceremony was held at Lodonga in Yumbe District and at Comboni Comprehensive College Training School in Yumbe District, marking the culmination of a intensive 10-day training program that began on December 8, 2025.
The graduation ceremony was officiated by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Yumbe, who served as the chief guest at the event held in Yumbe. In his address, the RDC congratulated the grandaunts for their dedication and commitment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline and respecting human rights as they take up their roles in ensuring law and order during the electoral process.
The RDC of Adjumani, Mr Toko Swaib who also served as a guest of honor in Adjumani highlighted that many eligible candidates missed this valuable opportunity, urging the Election Police Constables to serve their communities with integrity and professionalism, upholding the values of the Uganda Police Force.
The training covered both theoretical topics—such as the establishment, mandate, and functions of the Uganda Police Force (UPF), human rights, and the roles and duties of Special Police Constables (SPCs) at polling stations—and practical skills, including parade and drills, simulation of polling stations, physical fitness, self-defense, customer care, and first aid.
Relatedly, On 18th December 2025, 1640 Election Special Police Constables drawn from Koboko, Maracha and Terego successfully finished a ten day training from Kochi Secondary School training center in Koboko District.
The chief guest was the RDC Koboko Mr. Mitala Immy who emphasised that the ESPCs should maintain Discipline while on duty and even when off duty. He asked them to observe Human Rights while Executing their duties.
The UPF’s nationwide drive to recruit 100,000 Election SPCs, announced recently, offers a monthly stipend of UGX 469,000 and targets security support for the January 2026 general elections.
