The Uganda Police Force has taken over the training of private security guards as part of efforts to improve professionalism and safety in the sector.
The development was revealed by State Minister for Internal Affairs David Muhoozi while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs during discussions on a petition by private security organisations.
Muhoozi said thousands of guards are already undergoing training under the new arrangement.
“Actually, as we speak now, we have something like 7,085 undergoing training by the police free of charge in some of our schools,” he said.
He added that the trainees are from different security companies and are expected to complete their training by April 24, 2026.
According to the minister, the move is aimed at ensuring that private security guards meet required standards and do not pose a risk to the public.
“In the proposed review of the regulations, we propose that private security guards will either be trained in police schools or police trainers will be deployed to accredited organisations at a subsidised cost,” he said.
Officials also revealed that a standard training curriculum has been developed to guide the process, with a focus on improving discipline and equipping guards with skills in conflict resolution, surveillance and emergency response.
Recent incidents involving private security guards have raised concerns about trust and professionalism in the sector. In November 2024, guards attached to the G4S Uganda were implicated in the theft of more than Shs1 billion from a cash transit vehicle in Kampala.
Police investigations indicated that the guards allegedly diverted the vehicle from its route, abandoned it and fled with the money. The case, which shocked many, highlighted concerns about the conduct and supervision of private security personnel.
Security agencies have previously warned about cases where guards are involved in crimes at the very places they are hired to protect, raising questions about training standards and accountability.
However, the proposal has sparked debate among lawmakers, with some calling for broader reforms in how private security organisations are regulated.
Nyabushozi County MP Wilson Kajwengye supported the idea of regulating the sector but questioned the current legal framework.
“Regulating them is absolutely in order. However, the regulations stem from the Police Act and the Constitution. Is it not about time that the Ministry comes up with a Bill to regulate private security organisations?” he said.
Kajwengye warned that the growing size of the private security sector could pose challenges if not properly managed.
“If you are going to regulate an organisation whose strength outnumbers yours, it is highly likely that it will distract you or require more resources,” he added.
He pointed to countries like South Africa, which have specific laws and authorities to oversee private security operations.
Uganda currently regulates private security organisations under existing laws, but there is increasing pressure to introduce a dedicated law to manage the sector.
The proposed reforms come at a time when the number of private security guards continues to grow, raising concerns about training, discipline and public confidence.
