Latest news with #CommitteeonDefenceandInternalAffairs
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Renewal of National Identification Cards (IDs) to Start Soon - Gen. David Muhoozi
The mass renewal of national identification cards is expected to start in May 2025, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi has revealed. Gen. Muhoozi said this as he responded to the report of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on the ministerial policy statement and budget estimates for 2025/2026 financial year. The report was presented by Committee Chairperson, Hon. Wilson Kajwengye on Wednesday, 09 April 2025. 'The plan is to pilot on government employees starting with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA),' said Muhoozi. He said that the equipment and software have all been tested and are ready for use adding that he will provide a comprehensive report on the renewal and registration for national IDs. The minister's update followed concerns by Hon. Milton Muwuma, (NRM, Kigulu County South) who called for renewal of the IDs as the country prepares for general elections in 2026. 'We will be going for nominations soon but some of us have expired IDs and this alone can disqualify someone,' Muwuma said. Hon. Isaias Ssasaga (FDC, Budadiri County East) inquired about the fate of primary and secondary school learners who were registered for IDs and are due for issuance but have not yet received them. 'Are the children going to be part of the new registration process or will they be issued old IDs,' he asked. Muhoozi said that such learners will have the option of either choosing to be issued old IDs or the new ones which have enhanced features. According to the committee's report, government requires Shs145 billion to procure blank IDs to enroll over six million Ugandans and renew over five million national IDs but only Shs24.5 billion has been allocated in the next financial year. 'The committee recommends a provision of Shs120.7 billion in the 2025/2026 budget to enable NIRA complete the enrollment exercise before the 2026 general elections,' Kajwengye said. The committee also recommended that Shs587 billion be provided for the nationwide rollout of the sub county policing model. The Uganda Police Force tested the model in Greater Masaka in the 2023/24 financial year. Over Shs5 billion has been allocated for constructing 30 model police stations and completing 11 in the Greater Masaka area, procurement of 333 motorcycles and communication equipment. The committee report however, noted that there is a funding gap of Shs587 billion. Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament , Hon. Brenda Nabukenya welcomed the proposal to roll out the sub county policing model and called for its prioritisation. 'I want to support the area where they are going to procure two motorcycles for each sub county police station. Fuel for the motorcycles should also be prioritized. Usually, we limit them because we do not provide money for fuel,' she said. Hon. Emely Kugonza (NRM, Buyanja East County) said that whereas the sub county policing model is innovative, it is not well planned noting that there are no police posts and accommodation for officers. 'I am appealing to government to do thorough planning; we need the police officers spread across but they need to be catered for otherwise, they will turn into a menance,' Kugonza said. The legislators also called for provision of sufficient transport means to the existing police stations saying that the work of the officers is hindered by lack of transport. Hon. Frank Kabuye (NUP, Kassanda County South) highlighted the plight of the officers citing that Kassanda has only one vehicle for emergency responses. 'It is high time we prioritise giving means of transport but also ensure that there are funds for maintenance of the vehicles and motorcycles,' he said. Minister Muhoozi said that government plans to introduce electric motorcycles to address the challenge of inadequate fuel. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Police to recruit 10,000 constables ahead of general elections
As country gears up for the 2026 general elections, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) is seeking Shs157 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year budget to cater for recruitment of probation police constables (PPCs). Uganda is slated to hold general elections in January 2026 and the Under Secretary, of the force, Aggrey Wunyi said that if law and order is to be upheld in the during the election period, 10,000 constables are required. He however was concerned that the proposed allocation of Shs58 billion to recruit the PPCs leaves a shortfall of Shs99 billion which he says may compromise the peace and security of the citizenry during elections. The Undersecretary made the request while appearing before the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs to present the force's budget request on Tuesday, 25 March 2025. The Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire led the team of security offices to the meeting chaired by Hon. Wilson Kajwengye Wunyi also warned that the police officers may find difficulties in carrying out motorised patrols during the elections because out of the Shs189 billion required to procure fuel, only Shs55 billion has been allocated. He added that election-related investigations will also be affected, saying that out of the required Shs60 billion, only Shs6.4 billion is being allocated. 'There will be need for quick investigations to resolve cases that arise during elections and yet we have a very big funding shortfall,' said Wunyi. The Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba said that the budget shortfalls affect the force's mandate to effectively keep law and order. He attributed the shortfalls to lack of funds from other programmes saying that under the pragmatic approach to planning and budgeting, UPF's mandate cuts across almost all National Development Plan IV programmes but only receives funding from three progammes. 'My appeal to this committee is to advocate for UPF to be considered for funding from other relevant NDP IV programmes. This will cover shortfalls in the force's budget,' said Byakagaba. Kahinda Otafiire on the other hand applauded the force for ensuring reduction in the crime rate, saying cases dropped from 228,074 in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024. 'With your support for the expansion of the CCTV surveillance system in rural areas and with other interventions such as implementation of sub county policing model, I want to assure you that cases of criminality will be contained,' Otafiire said. Committee Chairperson, Kajwengye pointed out the importance of adequately funding the police in the run up to the elections. '2025/2026 is of significance. It is a year where we shall have elections to underpin our democratic credentials as a country and when we talk about elections, then the role of police is at the core,' said Kajwengye. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Government withdraws Forensic Evidence Bill
The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, has withdrawn the Forensic Evidence Bill, 2024, which sought to regulate and streamline forensic science services in crime investigation and prosecution. The Bill was first introduced to Parliament on 26 November 2024. Justifying the motion to withdraw the proposed law during the parliamentary sitting on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, Muhoozi said that discussions with the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs that was considering the Bill revealed that significant changes were needed, which would alter its intent. 'We found that there are things that need to be aligned within the Bill itself but also which if done, will substantially change it. The only recourse was that it be withdrawn and then brought back for reconsideration,' Muhoozi said. The proposed legislation sought to modernise forensic science services and regulate forensic practices. A key provision was the establishment of a National DNA Database, described as 'an electronic depository for human DNA profiles containing forensic DNA analysis results,' to be managed by the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory. The Bill addressed DNA profiling services, collection of bodily samples, laboratory analytical reports, access to DNA profiles, retention and disposal of forensic DNA profiles, and non-disclosure of information. It proposed removing profiles of suspects within three years if no charges were brought or if they were acquitted. Volunteer DNA profiles would only be retained with explicit donor consent. Additionally, it proposed designating the Government Analytical Laboratory as the regulatory body for forensic services and establishing regional laboratories to decentralise services and improve access nationwide. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
