Examining the effectiveness of public administrative reforms in the Uganda Police Force

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of Public Administrative Reforms in the Uganda Police Force. The study was guided by three objectives, which included; establishing the effectiveness of Transport Management Reforms in Uganda Police Force, establishing the effectiveness of In-service Training Courses in Uganda Police Force and establishing the effectiveness of Accommodation Reforms in Uganda Police Force. The study used descriptive and cross sectional research design with a sample size of 105 respondents (Police officers), where 102 were field officers while 03 were commissioners in Uganda Police Force. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources while using questionnaires and interview guide. The study revealed that transport management reforms have improved the effectiveness of operations in Uganda Police Force. Police officers can now carry out patrol within the community with prompt responses and hence reduction in crime rates. However, some police officers still ask for transport from the community members. It was also revealed that in-service trainings offered have imparted knowledge, operational, technical and interactive skills amongst police officers to cope with modern policing trends. This has improved professionalism among the police officers. However, some police officers have not adhered to the code of conduct while handling crimes. This has increased cases of human rights violation by Uganda Police Officers. It was revealed that accommodation reforms have not facilitated much on the effectiveness of Uganda Police Force’s operations. Most of the Police officers are not motivated to do their duties since they still stay in poor housing structures. They experience broken marriages due to poor accommodation facilities. However, the few police officers that have access to good accommodation facilities have improved on their welfare and interpersonal relationship. They feel safe in the communities where they stay. The study recommended that the Uganda Police Force Management should provide enough fuel to all police units and carry out training needs assessment before conducting training, The Government of Uganda to increase funding to Uganda Police Force to help in implementing its accommodation reforms of building enough facilities for all police officers. Lastly, Uganda Police Force should come up with a housing scheme of building houses for Police officers to acquire them on long term loan basis with a subsidized pay payable over a reasonable period of time.