Leaders complain over police recruitment

Leaders, whose districts got fewer slots in the recent recruitment of police constables, have accused security agencies of marginalising their communities.

However, police management insists that the process was transparent.

Police shortlisted 1,297 probationary constables and drivers around the country last month. 1,088 are constables while 209 are police drivers.

According to the list of successful candidates, more than 18 districts got less than two slots each while other districts got more than 20 slots each.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga said the recruitment was done on a quota basis where each district or region was given a number of slots, but the applicants had to meet certain requirements.

“If at all the district didn’t have  eligible person, then we would go with the number that is available even if it was one or zero,” Mr Enanga said.

Those vying for constable jobs were required to have four credits and at least a pass in Mathematics and English subjects at O-Level. The applicants were supposed to be between 18 and 24 years old.

In the shortlist, districts such as Gomba, Rakai, Kiryandongo, Bukomansimbi, Ntoroko, Bukwo, and Kazo, each got less than two successful applicants while districts such as Pallisa, Sheema, Ntungamo and Butaleja, each got more than 15 successful applicants.

Districts in Greater Masaka; Bukomansimbi, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kyotera, Lwengo, Masaka City, Rakai, Ssembabule and Lyantonde, combined got 39 successful slots.

The Ntoroko District chairperson, Mr William Kasolo, said only one person was recruited in his district despite having many people who had the required qualifications.

“The issue of our people having no academic qualifications is a lie. Some people are unfair to us and marginalising our people,” he said yesterday.

He added: “With nine years of Universal Secondary Education you can’t say we don’t have people with O-Level qualifications to join the police.”

The Kalungu District chairperson, Mr Kamadi Mukiibi Nyombi, said many youth in his district and greater Masaka aren’t interested in joining the police because of the welfare of officers they witness at various police stations.

“Political leaders were not involved in the mobilisation exercise. Those who were involved are security personnel, who aren’t known in the region and have no appeal on the ground,” Mr Nyombi said.

Mr Nyombi also claimed that the youth in his region were discriminated against because of their political beliefs.

Utility 
Successful Probational Police Constables per district  
Butambala: 3
Gomba: 1
Mpigi: 4
Buliisa: 3
Hoima City: 6
Kagadi 5
Kakumiro 5
Kiryandongo 2
Masindi 7
Luweero 3
Nakaseke 3
Nakasongola 9
Bushenyi 9
Rubirizi 7
Sheema 15
Kyankwanzi 5
Kiboga 3
Mityana 2
Bundibugyo 10
Bunyagabo 4
Fort Portal City 3
Kamwenge 2
Kyegegwa 3
Kyenjojo 8
Ntoroko 1
Kitagwenda 3
Kasese 14
Abim 7
Kaabong 1
Kotido 4
Moroto 7
Nakapiripirit 3
Napak 5
Amudat 3
Bukwo 2
Kapchorwa 11
Kween 3
Bukomansimbi 1
Kalangala 7
Kalungu 2
Kyotera 5
Lwengo 2
Lyatonde 4
Masaka City 13
Rakai 1
Ssembabule 4
Kabale 13
Kanungu 14
Kisoro 8
Rubanda 7
Rukiga 4
Rukungiri 8
Ibanda 5
Isingiro 13
Kazo 1
Kiruhura 3
Mbarara City 8
Ntungamo 17
Rwampara 3
Bugiri 11
Bugweri 4
Iganga 9
Mayuge 12
Namayingo 5
Namutumba 12
Buyende 4
Kaliro 5
Kamuli 13
Luuka 7
Jinja City 13
Buikwe 10 
Buvuma 4
Kayunga 6
Busia 15
Butaleja 24
Tororo 19
Budaka 14
Butebo 4
Kibuku 11
Pallisa 29
Bududa 3
Bulambuli 6
Manafwa 8
Mbale City 4
Namisindwa 6
Sironko 5
Agago 6
Amuru 6
Gulu City 18
Kitgum 2
Lamwo 1
Nwoya 4
Omoro 7
Pader 3
Alebtong 12
Amolatar 9
Apac 11
Dokolo 10
Kole 13
Kwania 8
Lira City 24
Otuke 6
Oyam 17
Adjumani 3
Moyo 4
Obongi 1
Yumbe 2
Arua City 12
Koboko 3
Madi-Okollo 1
Maracha 6
Nebbi 8
Pakwach 10
Terego 3
Zombo 7
Amuria 15
Bukedea 16
Kaberamaido 8
Kalaki 9
Kapelebyong 6
Katakwi 11
Kumi 17
Ngora 10
Serere 12
Soroti City 17
Kampala Metropolitan Area (Kampala City, Wakiso and Mukono) 135.