The Ministry of Public Service has implemented a 77% salary enhancement for public servants. However, pay gaps persist within the UPF. While lower-ranking officers have received salary increments, reaching 40% of the pay target, senior officers have been left out.
A Ministry insider confirmed, “The senior category has never been enhanced,” further deepening frustration among the ranks.
Adding to the tension, newly recruited officers remain uncompensated during their training, as per the Police Act. This long-standing policy has caused unrest, with trainees feeling their contributions deserve acknowledgment.
Living conditions in police barracks continue to deteriorate. Frequent power outages result from a Shs17.76 billion shortfall in the electricity budget, leaving officers and their families in the dark when prepaid meters run out. Similarly, water supplies face an annual deficit of Shs14 billion, causing chronic shortages and health risks.
The UPF’s operational capacity is hindered by critical equipment shortages. Riot police and firefighters lack adequate protective gear, while the force struggles with insufficient rescue boats, fire trucks, and helicopters. These shortages compromise the ability to handle emergencies effectively.
“We don’t have the necessary resources for search and rescue missions,” a senior officer admitted, underscoring the severity of the issue.
Even feeding officers on deployment has become unsustainable. With Shs10,000 allocated per officer daily, the current budget supports only 12,468 personnel, leaving many without meals.
“This funding gap could lead to the closure of deployments, jeopardizing the security of critical installations,” warned a UPF spokesperson.
