16 applicants shun police recruitment exercise in Apac

2 May 2025, 9:40 pm

By Mike Okwang Ogule and Isaac Newton Abili

A total of 16 aspiring police recruits failed to turn up for the ongoing national recruitment exercise for Probationer Police Constables (PPCs) in Apac district, leaving only 175 out of the 191 applicants participating in the exercise.

The development was confirmed by Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, during an exclusive interview with Radio Apac. According to Okema, the recruitment in Apac was well-organised and proceeded smoothly, despite the small number of absentees.

Notably, Okema observed that female applicants outnumbered their male counterparts, reflecting a growing interest among women in joining the Uganda Police Force.

The ongoing recruitment drive aims to enlist at least 10,000 new personnel across the country. In the Lango sub-region, the exercise commenced in Oyam District on 28 April 2025, before moving to Kole, then Apac, and is expected to continue in other districts over the coming days.

The recruitment is intended to boost the police workforce and strengthen law enforcement presence and service delivery nationwide.

This process also comes at a time when the country is preparing for the 2026 general elections.

The Uganda Police Force is currently implementing a Sub-County Policing Model, which involves deploying 18 personnel to each sub-county. This initiative aims to enhance policing efficiency, reduce crime, and encourage greater community involvement in law enforcement. Each sub-county station will be equipped with three motorcycles and a range of communication equipment.

As of January 2025, Uganda’s police-to-population ratio stands at approximately 1 officer per 812 people—an improvement from the 1:941 ratio recorded in previous years, though still below the United Nations’ recommended ratio of 1:220.