Legislators Raise Alarm Over Police Land Scandal

Police officers across the country could soon face displacement and potential homelessness following revelations by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament that critical police land remains unprotected, undocumented, and in some cases, has been handed over for commercial use.

During a heated session at Parliament yesterday, PAC, chaired by Muwanga Kivumbi, grilled senior officials from the Uganda Police Force on a range of accountability issues, including land mismanagement, compromised road security protocols, and misuse of government resources.

The Committee uncovered that prime police land in areas such as Nsambya Barracks, Kabalagala, Naguru, and other key locations lacks official land titles, remains unfenced, and is vulnerable to illegal occupation or commercial exploitation.

Legislators expressed concern that this level of negligence could lead to mass eviction of police families currently residing on these lands.

“What we are seeing is a systematic stripping of police assets, which not only affects housing and operational stability for officers but undermines national security,” said Kivumbi.

Adding to the controversy, PAC also faulted the police leadership for diverting Shs24 billion intended for road security operations to settle domestic arrears.

The committee questioned the legality and transparency of this move, raising red flags about budget discipline and prioritisation within the force.

The PAC session further tackled the abuse of lead cars, questioning how these vehicles—meant for official security operations—are frequently misused, contributing to traffic violations and risking public safety.

MPs urged immediate action from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Office of the Auditor General to recover lost police assets, secure remaining land, and audit the financial practices within the police force.

This unfolding scandal puts increased pressure on the Uganda Police Force to restore public trust and internal accountability, with PAC warning that failure to address the issues urgently could trigger deeper institutional crises.