Kampala, Uganda –The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has broken its silence over mounting concerns and media reports regarding missing salaries for some officers. In an official press release issued from the Police Headquarters in Naguru on April 10, 2025, the Force clarified that while officers are generally paid promptly at the end of each month, there have been isolated delays due to a range of administrative and technical challenges.
The statement, prompted by widespread reactions to a New Vision article published on April 10, 2025, outlined a number of critical issues causing discrepancies in the payroll system, but emphasized that the Force remains fully committed to resolving the matter and ensuring officers receive their pay on time.
The Uganda Police Force identified several systemic and individual-level issues contributing to the delays:
1. Mismatch Between Nominal Roll and Payroll Data: Inconsistencies in service records and payroll details have triggered payment rejections during processing.
2. Failure to Meet Validation Requirements: A 2023 audit by the Auditor General found that some officers lacked essential documents such as national IDs or appointment letters, or had errors in their birth records—leading to their classification as “partially validated.”
3. Bank Identity Mismatches: Some salary transactions failed due to discrepancies between officers’ bank details and records in the payroll system.
4. Deletion of Deserters from Payroll: Officers who absconded from duty were lawfully removed from the payroll, with reinstatement dependent on disciplinary reviews.
5. Erroneous Retirements: Mistakes during data audits resulted in premature retirement of some officers, largely due to conflicting information from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
6. Data Migration Challenges: The transition to a new Human Capital Management System introduced record reorganization, which in some cases led to salary processing errors.
The UPF emphasized that both the removal and reinstatement of officers on the payroll follow a structured and transparent process. Unit commanders initiate the process, and the Directorate of Human Resource Administration (HRA) verifies and authorizes all changes.
“The Uganda Police Force is committed to addressing these human resource challenges as they arise,” the statement reads. “We remain steadfast in ensuring that all officers are paid their salaries accurately and on time.”
The Force’s leadership has assured officers and the general public that ongoing efforts are underway to resolve these discrepancies. With human resource reforms in progress, the Uganda Police Force aims to strengthen institutional systems and prevent future salary-related issues.
