Daniel Mugula
28 September 2026
KAMPALA — The Uganda Police Force has warned private security organisations (PSOs) to strengthen supervision and accountability after security agencies recovered 23 firearms linked to private security operations since January 2026.
Police said private security organisations perform sensitive duties, including protecting lives and property, with some personnel authorised to carry firearms. Authorities therefore urged PSOs to ensure that their operations are conducted with discipline, proper supervision and strict accountability in accordance with the Police Control of Private Security Organisations Regulations, 2013.
Speaking at a press conference at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the 23 firearms had been recovered by the police and sister security agencies operating under the inter-agency framework.
He said the recovery of firearms that had been entrusted to private security personnel was a serious security concern, particularly when such weapons could end up in the hands of criminals.
Rusoke urged private security organisations to deploy only trained and authorised guards and to provide an appropriate number of personnel and firearms based on the security needs of each site.
He also cautioned clients against reducing the number of guards purely to cut costs, saying inadequate staffing can increase the risk of firearms being lost or stolen.
According to police, criminals could potentially use stolen firearms to target businesses that the weapons were originally intended to protect.
Police also referred to a firearm recovered on September 17 as part of the broader investigation into firearms entrusted to private security organisations.
The police urged both private security firms and their clients to ensure that firearms are properly controlled, supervised and accounted for at all times.
Authorities said strengthening firearm management within the private security sector remains essential to preventing weapons from falling into unauthorised hands.
