NATIONAL
Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Saverino Kahinda Otafiire, has said the practice of providing police escorts and lead cars to prominent pastors should stop, arguing that religious leaders should not rely on state security.
Otafiire made the remarks on 23 January while appearing before Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee during deliberations on the 2026/27 National Budget Framework Paper for the Uganda Police Force.
“Those work for God and God will protect them. That’s the responsibility of God,” Gen Otafiire told the committee, responding to questions about the growing number of religious leaders receiving police protection.
The issue was raised by Hon Wilson Kajwengye, the Member of Parliament for Nyabushozi County, who questioned why pastors were among individuals assigned police escorts.
“The concerns have been and continue to be: are these people, the preachers, entitled to escorts? Why would a preacher need physical escort? Is he under threat, and from whom?” Kajwengye asked.
The wider debate on police escorts was triggered by the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, David Muhoozi, who told the committee that demand for lead cars was overstretching police resources. He said many beneficiaries expected the police to procure brand-new vehicles for escort duties.
“Save for a few offices; the Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Chief Justice, we cannot afford to buy vehicles for other ministries, departments and agencies,” Muhoozi said, adding that the cost of providing escorts was high. He pointed to expanded use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems as a more sustainable approach to public security.
Kajwengye agreed, saying the provision of escort cars came with significant recurring costs, including fuel, maintenance and manpower.
“If there was an intelligent way, such as increasing CCTV coverage and integration to reduce crime, there would be less need for physical manpower to protect individuals,” he said.
In recent years, it has become increasingly common for some high-profile pro-regime pastors in Uganda to request police protection and lead cars, a trend that has drawn criticism amid concerns over limited security resources and competing public safety priorities.
