Special Police Constables (SPCs) deployed during the 2026 General Elections are demanding payment of alleged outstanding salaries and allowances from the Uganda Police Force and the Electoral Commission, saying they have not been fully compensated for their work.
In October 2025, the Uganda Police Force recruited about 100,000 Special Police Constables to support security during the election period. The recruitment targeted Ugandans aged 18 and above with at least a Primary Leaving Examination certificate and was intended to boost manpower during the polls.
Recruits underwent a one-month basic training programme and were deployed on three-month contracts with a monthly salary of Shs496,000. The Electoral Commission of Uganda also reportedly provided daily allowances of Shs75,000 for SPCs deployed at polling stations.
After the elections, police retained some SPCs for further training, armed them, and deployed them to permanent stations, while others were demobilized.
However, several SPCs who were not retained now claim they were underpaid or not fully compensated. Ronald Turyahabwe, an SPC who served under Kira Road Division Police, said many of them only received partial payment.
“We received our police salary in cash at the police divisions. But some of us were paid for only one month, others for two months, and no one got the full three-month salary. When we inquired about the balance, our supervisors said the money we got was all we would get, yet our contracts were for three months,” he said.
He added that they suspect mismanagement of funds that were reportedly approved and released for their payments.
Some SPCs who spoke on condition of anonymity said there were also inconsistencies in the payment of EC allowances, with some officers receiving the daily facilitation while others did not.
One SPC, identified only as Bob, questioned the government’s handling of their contracts.
“They told us to maintain discipline during training, but they won’t honor the contracts they gave us. We signed for three months, yet we were only paid for one. They said the money ran out. That’s not the discipline they preached to us,” he said.
The affected SPCs have appealed to both the Police leadership and the Electoral Commission to resolve the matter before President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony.
In response, Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said all individuals who worked during the elections were paid, but noted that some discrepancies arose from incorrect details.
“I would advise them to write their complaints and hand them to their respective district Electoral Commission returning officers, and then their issues will be handled. But I tell you; all people who worked were paid. For salaries, let them follow up with the police that employed them,” Mucunguzi said.
By press time, Uganda Police Force spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke had not responded to calls.
The SPCs also allege they have received threats from some senior officers warning them against speaking to the media about their grievances-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
