Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, has dismissed over 2,000 Special Police Constables (SPCs) and civilians from various police departments and units.

According to officers in directorate units, IGP Byakagaba issued the directive three days ago, requiring all SPCs and civilians to be relieved of their duties by the end of the week.

“This decision came as a surprise, and we are still trying to understand its cause. We are now seeking police officers to take on roles such as office administrators and secretaries, as civilians are no longer permitted in these positions,” an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) stated.

Attempts to reach Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke for clarification were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, several directorates and unit commanders have begun recruiting police constables to fill the vacancies left by the dismissed personnel.

“Some of us have already reserved constables who are completing their training next month to take on roles like secretaries or office administrators. Many civilians who had served in various capacities for over a decade have now left within just two days,” another ACP added.

Last year, police leadership instructed civilian graduates and SPCs in different units to enroll in the Offices’ Basic Course (OBC) to fully integrate into the force. However, many civilians with over 10 years of service were deemed physically unfit for the course, while others failed to complete it and returned to their civilian roles.

A Superintendent of Police suggested that the directive for civilians and SPCs to undergo the OBC might have been a precursor to this decision.

Currently, 2,500 police recruits, including former civilians in police service, are set to complete a one-year training course on May 10, 2025. Those with degree qualifications have already finished the 90-day OBC course and received their force numbers. Civilians who completed the OBC last year are preparing for further training to qualify as Assistant Inspectors of Police (AIPs) or Inspectors of Police (IPs), with potential promotion to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

There are reports suggesting that IGP Byakagaba dismissed civilians and SPCs to reduce police expenses. With each SPC earning approximately 370,000 Shillings monthly and their numbers exceeding 1,000, the police were spending 370 million Shillings per month, amounting to 4.4 billion Shillings annually.

Degree-holding civilians reportedly earned between 500,000 and 1,500,000 Shillings.

The police are currently grappling with a tight budget and a fuel shortage affecting District and Division Police Commanders (DPCs), directors, and department heads, despite efforts by senior leadership to downplay the issue.

While cost-cutting may seem beneficial, an SP warned that this abrupt decision could negatively impact various directorates and units, as civilians were handling tasks beyond the capacity of many police officers.

Questions have also been raised about the feasibility of retraining Police Constables to take on roles like secretaries or office administrators, given their focus on command-related duties.

It remains uncertain whether civilians from directorates such as ICT, logistics and engineering, welfare, and production are among those affected by the dismissals.