Parliament has tasked the Ministry of Internal Affairs with explaining the abrupt dismissal of several youths who had recently been admitted for training by the Uganda Police Force, citing an alleged overcapacity in recruitment.
During the plenary session on August 6, 2025, lawmakers questioned the transparency and fairness of the process used to determine which recruits were retained at the Masindi Police Training School and which were dismissed.
Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba led the inquiry, seeking clarification from the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi.
“Reports indicate that many young people reported to the training school but were left idle for a week, only to be told on Tuesday, August 5, that the numbers had exceeded the recruitment quota and some would be sent home,” Niwagaba said. “The criteria for deciding who stays and who leaves remain unclear.”
He expressed concern over the psychological and financial toll on the affected recruits, some of whom had invested heavily in preparation, including the alleged payment of bribes. “These young people are in distress. What process was used to eliminate them after recruitment?” he asked.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among echoed his concerns, saying she had received similar complaints from her Bukedea constituency.
“I got calls from Bukedea youths who were dismissed despite having reported for training. What criteria were used to select those to be sent back?” she queried.
Amuru District Woman MP Lucy Akello added that recruits from her district had also been affected. “This is a huge disappointment. How does the police over-recruit without adequate planning? This has deeply unsettled the youths,” she said.
In response, Minister Muhoozi acknowledged the concerns and pledged to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“If recruitment was conducted in accordance with the quota, how did we end up exceeding the numbers? I will carry out a full inquiry and report back to Parliament,” he assured.
Speaker Among called for an immediate suspension of the dismissals, saying, “Can’t we halt the process of sending these recruits home since they had already been accepted?” However, Muhoozi declined to make a commitment, saying he needed to consult further.
The controversial dismissals follow a national police recruitment drive announced on March 10, 2025. Interviews were conducted between April 28 and May 5, resulting in the selection of 11,896 Probationer Police Constables.
The Source Reports.
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