This project profile page contains information about Uganda Police Force project including project results, impact, and effective practices. This page will be updated annually in line with EIF project reporting requirements.
| T/PCC | Updates | |||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||
| Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | |
| Uganda | 86 | 13.27% | 64 | 9.82% | 89 | 13.69% | 101 | 15.44% | 88 | 13.48% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experts on Mission | 3 | 75.00% | 3 | 100.00% | 3 | 75.00% | 2 | 50.00% | 3 | 75.00% |
| Individual Police | 7 | 33.33% | 7 | 30.43% | 5 | 27.78% | 6 | 27.27% | 6 | 28.80% |
| Staff Officer | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 50.00% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
| Troops | 75 | 12.10% | 53 | 8.49% | 80 | 12.80% | 92 | 14.92% | 78 | 12.48% |
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) is the national law enforcement agency, established in 1962 at the time of Uganda’s independence. It is mandated under the 1995 Constitution and the Police Act to protect life and property, preserve law and order, prevent and detect crime, and maintain internal security. Since the late 1980s, the UPF has undertaken a series of institutional reforms aimed at professionalising its operations, improving service delivery, and aligning with the principles of modern democratic policing. It operates under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police and is structured into multiple directorates and specialised units, including criminal investigations, operations, logistics, counterterrorism, and forensic services. The UPF also serves as the host institution for Uganda’s National Central Bureau of Interpol.
In recent years, the UPF has introduced a number of operational and technological improvements, including the installation of nationwide CCTV surveillance systems, the establishment of a forensic science directorate, and the acquisition of aerial assets to enhance response capability. These measures form part of a broader modernisation strategy designed to improve effectiveness, strengthen public trust, and address gaps in accountability. Nonetheless, the UPF continues to face persistent challenges linked to limited infrastructure, constrained resources, and high personnel turnover, particularly in remote or underserved areas.
In line with constitutional provisions promoting gender equality—particularly Article 33—the UPF has adopted a peace support operations policy and institutional gender strategies calling for 30 per cent female participation. The national gender policy (2017), the UPF’s internal gender policy (2019–2023), and the peace support operations policy (2019) reflect a growing institutional focus on gender responsiveness. However, implementation remains uneven. In 2023, women made up approximately 19 per cent of the UPF, with limited representation in senior ranks and command roles. Structural, cultural, and institutional barriers continue to hinder the meaningful participation of women in peace support operations and in the wider policing system.
The Uganda Police Force, in partnership with UN Women Uganda, undertook a comprehensive barrier assessment using the Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) methodology developed by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and Cornell University Gender and Security Sector Lab (GSS Lab), to better understand the challenges affecting women’s meaningful participation in United Nations Peace Operations. The research was conducted by the Makerere University Rotary Peace Center, using Partnership model C.
The assessment aimed to:
1. Identify the main barriers to women’s meaningful participation within the ten issue areas outlined in the MOWIP methodology;
2. Identify existing good practices within the UPF that could be leveraged, scaled up, or shared more broadly;
3. Formulate a set of evidence-based recommendations for future activities to increase the participation of UPF women in United Nations peace operations; and
4. Provide a baseline to measure progress in overcoming barriers to women’s participation.
The report presents a valuable opportunity for the UPF to pursue targeted and structured interventions through collaboration with partners and stakeholders. The project is also expected to support future participation in the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) to enhance the meaningful participation of uniformed women in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. One key recommendation encourages the establishment of institutional structures to sustain progress, mobilise resources and support long-term action. If taken forward, these steps could help consolidate results and position the UPF and its partners to build on current efforts to advance the meaningful participation of women in peace support operations.
EIF OUTCOME 1
EXPANDED COUNTRY-KNOWLEDGE OF BARRIERS TO DEPLOYMENT
surveys
434 surveys administered by the MOWIP enumerator team (244 men and 190 women)
interviews
30 interviews conducted with senior leadership, decision-makers, and program officers (15 men and 15 women)
MOWIP
report
1 MOWIP Report launched
EIF OUTCOME 1
EXPANDED COUNTRY-KNOWLEDGE OF BARRIERS TO DEPLOYMENT
surveys
434 surveys administered by the MOWIP enumerator team (244 men and 190 women)
interviews
30 interviews conducted with senior leadership, decision-makers, and program officers (15 men and 15 women)
EIF Outcome 1
US$219,232
US$219,232
UPF
UN Women Uganda
Makerere University
13 months
19 December 2022
9 February 2022
31 July 2023
18 months
The barrier assessment generated a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of the challenges and opportunities influencing the participation of uniformed women in the UPF and in peace operations. One key recommendation encourages the establishment of institutional structures to sustain progress, mobilise resources and support long-term action. If taken forward, these steps could help consolidate results and position the UPF and its partners to build on current efforts to advance the meaningful participation of women in peace support operations.
Uganda Police Force Mechanisms (Policies and Strategies) – Gender Based Violence and Violence Against Children, Uganda Police Force, 4 October 2021
Police Gender Policy to Uphold Dignity of Women, Men, Boys and Girls, Uganda Police Force, 20 June 2019
MOWIP Report Launch – Don’t expect any special treatment, you must measure up – female police officers warned, Nile Post, 30 June 2023
MOWIP Report Launch Women are underrepresented in police – report, Monitor, 30 June 2023
UN Women, Uganda Police Strengthen Partnership to Advance Gender equality and Access to Justice, Nile Post, 1 July 2025
Uganda Police Force MOWIP Barrier Assessment Report, 2023
English
Women in the Uganda Police Force – Barriers to women in operational policing, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, 2021
Gender Inclusion and Provision of Security Services by the Uganda Police Force, Francis Tumwesigye, Nkumba University, 2023
Prioritize Gender Sensitivity – ACP Akoth to Officers, Uganda Police Force, 14 September 2023
The Legal Framework for Women in the Police in Uganda – Existing Structures, Options for Improvement to Ensure a More Efficient Role of Women, Violla Nabawanda, KAS African Law Study Library, 10 January 2023
