By Anitah Ashemereirwe,
NATIONAL
Members of Parliament’s Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs have tasked the clerk to parliament to issue immediate summons to the minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Saverino Kahinda Otafiire to explain to the house on the issue of over 2,000 Ghost Police Officers on the payroll.
This was after the shadow minister for internal affairs, Betty Nambooze presented a report to the committee indicating a fraudulent scheme involving fake employees in police receiving salaries.
Nambooze who was concerned about Police Force’s request to recruit additional officers before the 2026 elections suggested that police should prioritize addressing the issue of ghost officers before allocating funds for further recruitment.
“On the orders of the IGP Ochola, an audit was carried out by police and it revealed that in the Force, there had been 2,000 ghost police officers who continued to earn salaries. As he was handing over, IGP Kale Kayihura said that he had left a force of 46,000 personnel,” said Nambooze.
According to Nambooze, budget allocations for the next financial year 2024/25 should focus on critical areas than spending large sums of money where it should not be allocated. The shadow minister called for improving police housing and welfare , eliminating ‘ghost’ officers from the payroll among others.
This prompted the committee chairperson, Wilson Kajwengye to direct the clerk to summon minister Otafiire, and police leadership for an explanation on the matter.
