Sorry state of police barracks irks MPs

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Lawmakers on Monday lambasted government for neglecting the welfare needs of police officers, citing the sorry state of many barracks and outposts across the country.

This transpired on April 20, 2026, as Defence and Internal Affairs committee chairperson Wilson Kajwengye presented a report on the Ministerial Policy Statements (MPS) for the 2026/27 Financial Year before the Budget committee chaired by Patrick Opolot Isiagi (Kachumbala County, NRM).

Backlash followed a recommendation by the Defence Committee to allocate an additional sh24 billion in the next financial year for the renovation of barracks nationwide, which, according to Kajwengye, entailed removing condemned asbestos iron sheets, replacement of electrical wires and restoration of sewage systems to accord the men in khaki uniform a decent life.

According to Kajwengye, the works would include removing condemned asbestos roofing sheets, replacing electrical wiring, and restoring sewage systems to accord men in khaki uniform a decent life.

However, only sh3 billion has so far been allocated for the exercise, which arguably is a drop in the ocean.

While 74 percent of the men in Khaki are living in self-made manyattas or renting outside the barracks using their meagre earnings, plans are in the offing to complete construction of 1,200 accommodation units in Naguru, 240 apartments in Entebbe and Jinja in the forthcoming fiscal year.

Backlash

However, it’s the siloed approach to the concern that irked Otuke County Paul Omara (NRM) the most.

“The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, had suggested to Parliament that for us to renovate all these hospitals and health centres, we need to go and look for some funding so that we can do these things at a go. We are still doing things piecemeal. I think this applies to the police; the headquarters are very bad, and where they stay, it's like the colonial legacy still lingers around. Can we specifically look at some money somewhere, even within the budget, so that we fix where our people stay?” Omara pointed out.

“Just imagine, your son says, 'Daddy, I want to join the police', and you go and see where they live. Sometimes I am told it's very difficult for them to consummate. You have to walk around and leave space, I think we cannot tolerate this,” he added.

Kinkiizi West MP James Kaberuka Niringiyimana Ruugi (NRM) further posed more questions.

“I want to know how many stations do you want to renovate using this money, because it is a blank statement, and where are they? Do you have information about them?” Kaberuka inquired.

“When Kayihura was Inspector General of Police, there was a small case in our area which drew his attention. When he reached there, he feared to enter the police office. He said this cannot be a police office of Uganda. But Sir, that’s the police station in Kihiihi where our police officers handle our issues from. So, is it one of them?” he added.

Fast forward, Defence and Internal Affairs Committee chairperson Wilson Kajwengye pledged to furnish them with details of specific barracks due for a facelift.