The sub-county policing model introduced in 2022 during the leadership of former Inspector General of Police Martine Ochola, mandates police to establish a police station with 18 officers with four motor cycles and with two reserved for emergencies in all sub-counties, municipalities, and town councils across Uganda.
By Alexander Mackey Okori
Shortage of land is a major barrier hindering the implementation of the Sub-county policing model in North Karamoja, according to the police.
In 2024, President Museveni directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba to enforce the sub-county policing model introduced in 2022 during the leadership of former Inspector General of Police Martine Ochola.
Under the Sub-county policing model, each sub-counties, Uganda Police Force (UPF) is required to establish a police station with 18 officers with four motor cycles and with two reserved for emergencies in all municipalities, and town councils.
However, district intelligence officers say the implementation remains slow in North Karamoja, with only 20 out of the 64 sub-counties having permanent police stations.
This means that 44 sub-counties in North Karamoja don’t have permanent police stations, leaving many residents struggling to access justice and security assistance.
For instance police operations were withdrawn in Kanawata in Kotido West Division after the community failed to provide land for a permanent station.
Peter Praese, a resident of Nawojakitoi Cell, RomRom Ward in West Division said that the criminals have taken advantage of the lack of a police station to unleash terror on the vulnerable locals.
David Namuya Apangorok, the Rom-Rom area Councilor to the Municipality calls for the establishment of a police station in the area to improve the security situation.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the level of crime that continues to rise in the area despite the presence of developmental institutions like a primary and a secondary school as well as a busy trading center with booming business.
Namuya believes that with the presence of a police post in the area, such crimes would be reduced.
“The tragic increase in violent incidents, including multiple murders linked to inadequate law enforcement, underscores the necessity for immediate government action; therefore, the establishment of a dedicated police station would not only alleviate the burden on existing resources but also serve as a proactive step towards fostering a safer environment for all residents”, said Namuya.
When contacted, Kotido District Police Commander (DPC) SP Jimmy Tumuine, said that the concerns raised by the locals will be discussed in a high-level security meeting, however, he didn’t specify when.
Meanwhile Mike Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police/ASTU Spokesperson appealed to local leaders and communities to support the initiative by identifying and donating land for police infrastructure.
According to Longole, the lack of land is now the biggest obstacle to extending territorial police presence in the region.
Despite the shortage of permanent police facilities, Longole said Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) detachments are operating in all sub-counties and continue handling police work, including receiving complaints and making arrests.
He noted that joint operations involving ASTU, the Uganda Police Force, and the UPDF have helped reduce insecurity in the region, especially cattle theft and armed violence that for years disrupted livelihoods in Karamoja.
“The police force is also planning to strengthen manpower once 10,000 police recruits complete training. Longole explained that some existing posts currently operate with only two or three officers, but the plan is to increase staffing levels to at least 12 officers per post”, stated Longole.
To support the initiative, the Office of the Prime Minister, through the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), partnered with the Uganda Police Force to construct seven community police posts with staff housing in districts including Abim, Kotido, Moroto, Napak, and Nakapiripirit.
Each facility includes office space, detention cells, solar power systems, water harvesting facilities, a community borehole, and motorcycles to support mobility in remote areas.
Karamoja remains one of the priority regions under the sub-county policing model due to the history of cattle rustling, illegal firearms, and recurring land conflicts, all of which continue to affect livelihoods and government development programs in the region.
