The Uganda Police Force has assumed direct control over the training of private security guards, in a move aimed at improving standards and eliminating risks within the sector.
State Minister for Internal Affairs David Muhoozi disclosed the shift while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs. The decision follows a petition from Private Security Organisations (PSOs), which had sought clearer guidance on regulations and government oversight.
Under the new arrangement, the government will tighten supervision of the industry by requiring all private guards to undergo formal training through police-run institutions or certified instructors deployed to approved PSO training centres.
Authorities have also introduced a unified training curriculum designed to raise professionalism across the sector. The programme focuses on key areas such as conflict management, surveillance, emergency response, and compliance with legal standards, with the broader goal of strengthening public trust in private security services.
As part of the rollout, an initial group of 7,085 trainees is currently undergoing instruction at police training schools nationwide. The government-funded programme is scheduled to end on 24 April 2026.
Uganda’s private security sector comprises about 82,000 guards employed by 457 licensed companies.
