The Uganda Police Force has deployed at least 1,275 counter phone lines to sub-county police stations across the country in a move aimed at improving the timely reporting of incidents and reducing reliance on individual officers’ personal contacts.
The initiative, known as the Sub County Policing Model (SCPM), was adopted following strategic guidance from President Yoweri Museveni during the 25th Annual Police Council meeting held at Police Headquarters in Kampala in 2019.
According to police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke, the new system is designed to strengthen official communication channels and ensure faster response times to emergencies.
Rusoke said the police are discouraging members of the public from contacting individual officers directly, noting that doing so often delays response times and bypasses formal reporting procedures.
He explained that while citizens are encouraged to have access to nearby police contact numbers—especially those living in estates, apartments, or rural farming areas—the intention is to ensure that incidents are reported directly to official police stations for quicker action.
He added that in many investigations, valuable time is often lost when victims rely on informal networks or personal acquaintances instead of directly contacting police through official channels.
Rusoke noted that improved access to sub-county police contacts is expected to reduce delays and enhance efficiency in handling emergencies.
However, authorities also acknowledged that contacting the Uganda Police Force has at times been challenging for members of the public due to infrastructure limitations, lack of awareness about official communication channels, and broader systemic issues.
Police say the deployment of counter phone lines is part of ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and strengthen service delivery across all regions.