MPs ask govt to make deal with local firms to construct police, prison houses

By Francis Lubega

18^th March 2022

Members of Parliament on the Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs have urged the government to adopt the arrangement of Public Private Partnership-PPP as a practical solution to the acute shortage of accommodation bothering the Uganda Police Force.

The committee alongside a team of officers from the Police Directorates of Estates and Land Management, Planning and Development is conducting field visits to assess the conditions of the Police and Prison services facilities in the different parts of the country, to forge ways towards addressing the underlying challenges.

During their visit to Masaka Central Police Station, the Prisons, and Police barracks the MPs noted with concern the appalling situation in the accommodation of the security officers which is characterized by congestion and dilapidated housing units.

The Sheema District Woman MP also the Committee Chairperson Rosemary Nyakikongoro, said it is high time the government engaged in productive partnerships with private entities that can complement efforts to construct houses for its officers because their accommodation is wanting.

She adds that out of their interactions with officers, the committee also noted that Police is largely operating in a centralized manner; with the biggest percentage of its budget being spent on administration at the headquarters which affects service delivery at the tail end.

According to her, in spite of the limited budget allocation, the police still have serious structural challenges that deliberately compromise the integrity and efficiency of officers, especially in upcountry locations, saying the committee is going to make recommendations to the government about the necessary adjustments.

Commissioner of Police Timothy Halango, the Deputy Director for Research, Planning, and Development confirms the underlying challenge of housing for their police officers, however indicating that management has recently advised that available housing units in the barracks are reserved for low-ranking officers, who operate as the foot soldiers.

He told the committee that police management already has in place a structural development plan , which is now waiting to be funded, adding that he will forward the idea of a public-private partnership to the management meeting for more discussion.

End