The Uganda Police Force issued a reminder to all candidates emphasizing that the recruitment process is conducted based on rules and merit. Candidates were cautioned against offering bribes or attempting to influence the recruitment process through politicians, unscrupulous individuals, intermediary agents, or members of the police force. This warning coincided with the release of the interview schedule for police constable applicants across various centers in the country, spanning over 100 cities and districts.
However, critics on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, expressed skepticism regarding the transparency of the police force. Nsubuga Abubaker responded to the post, expressing doubts about the claimed adherence to rules and merit, alleging that the reality contradicts the stated principles. He emphasized vigilance and observation of the recruitment process. Another commenter, Solly, dismissed the assertion made by the police force, suggesting that individuals from specific ethnic groups were already favored in the recruitment, along with Ethiopians who were taught Luganda.
Herbert Monguso insinuated that nepotism and favoritism dictated the recruitment process in the current state of Uganda, implying that certain generals might have initiated recruitment of their preferred candidates. Tumuramye Aroho expressed gratitude for the information provided but voiced concerns about potential irregularities in the recruitment process, particularly the likelihood of manipulation by influential figures within the Uganda Police Force.
Arinda alleged that bribery began during the application process itself, recounting an incident involving a young boy injured in a road traffic accident while rushing to collect a bribe of 300,000 shillings. Lawrence Nsubuga highlighted the prevalence of mandatory fees upon reaching the recruitment centers, implying that such fees were unavoidable. Another user, Arinda, sarcastically dismissed the statements made on Twitter, questioning the actual process of accessing recruitment and the associated costs.
