By KT Reporter
More than 730 election polling constables on Tuesday staged a protest in Kabale District over unpaid wages and allowances from the just-concluded elections.
The constables first gathered at Kabale Central Police Station, demanding payment for two months. They say they have worked since deployment on December 8, 2025.
Tensions escalated after they were instructed to hand over their uniforms, batons, and boots while awaiting payment for only one month.
Angered by the directive, the group marched to the Kabale District headquarters and stormed the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), seeking intervention.
Urban Kyomukama, 57, a constable from Maziba Sub-county, said they were promised a monthly wage of Shs 469,000 from the police and an additional Shs 75,000 allowance from the Electoral Commission for election day duties.
He said frustration grew when officials informed them that only one month’s salary would be paid, adding that the Electoral Commission had yet to release the promised allowances.
Silva Kanyima, a constable from Nyakasharara Parish in Kaharo Sub-county, said the delay in payment had caused widespread dissatisfaction among officers. He expressed disappointment at being told they were entitled to only one month’s pay instead of two. Kanyima insisted the constables deserved full payment for the two months worked, as well as the agreed allowances, noting that they maintained peace and security during the elections.
Other constables, including Ambrose Sayuuni from Kigata in Kyanamira Sub-county, Annet Twinamatsiko and Medard Akampurira from Kabale Municipality, described the order to surrender their uniforms as unfair.
They argued that handing over the gear would undermine their position while they were still pursuing their rightful pay.
At the district headquarters, Kabale Assistant RDC Martin Niwataho persuaded the officers to return to the police station as discussions to resolve the matter continued.
On their way back, they reportedly attempted to storm the Electoral Commission branch office, but they were informed that the District Returning Officer, Aisha Nansubuga, was away.
Niwataho later held a closed-door meeting with police officials at Kabale Central Police Station. After the meeting, he urged the constables to remain calm, assuring them that payment for one month was being processed.
He added that he was in contact with Electoral Commission officials to ensure the allowances are released before the end of the week. However, the constables rejected the explanation, insisting on payment for two months.
Niwataho maintained that the training period did not qualify for payment as demanded by the officers. The constables also threatened to retain their uniforms, boots, and batons, but Niwataho warned that such actions could lead to prosecution.
By press time, police officials had reportedly proceeded to Centenary Bank in Kabale to withdraw cash and begin processing payment for one month, as the constables remained camped at Kabale Central Police Station, vowing not to surrender their uniforms unless fully paid.
The protest in Kabale comes as a section of their counterparts in neighbouring Rubanda District are demanding an explanation from senior police authorities over salary deductions made during the payment of their January wages.
Ivan Rukundo and Innocent Akampurira, among the affected officers, said they were informed they would each receive four hundred and ninety six thounsand shillings per month from January to March 2026.
However, those who received pay on January 28, 2026 reported a deduction of four thousand shillings, while those paid on January 29 said nine thousand shillings was deducted.
The payments were allegedly paid in cash at Rubanda Police Station from the District Police Commander’s office in the presence of Crime Intelligence personnel.
Some received said they got 460,000 while others were paid Shs 465,000, with no explanation provided for the deductions. T
They demanded clarification on why some were not paid the promised a faily allowance of five thousand shillings for the 10 days spent while undergoing training at Kisoro Police Training Centre in Kisoro District.
When contacted for comment, Rubanda District Police Commander John Bosco Tumwebaze said he was not aware of the alleged deductions but asked the reporter to visit his office for further clarification.
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