The unpaid Police constables assemble
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I About 730 police constables who served during the 2026 General Elections staged a peaceful demonstration in Kabale District on Tuesday, demanding payment of their outstanding wages.
The officers, who were hired on three-month contracts, say they have only received payment for one month. They marched to several key offices, including the Resident District Commissioner’s office, the Electoral Commission (EC), and Kabale Central Police Station, hoping to have their concerns addressed as authorities held a crisis meeting in the district.
Speaking during the protest, one of the officers said, “We served during the elections as contracted, but we have only been paid for one month. We are calling on the authorities to honor the full payment as agreed.”
The demonstration comes amid growing frustration among other election workers. Polling officials and other agents have also publicly raised concerns over delayed payments from the EC, with some threatening legal action if the arrears are not cleared.
Kabale District authorities confirmed that the EC and police leadership were aware of the matter and had convened a meeting to find a resolution. “We understand the concerns of our officers. A meeting is ongoing to discuss the pending payments and how best to address them,” said one official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
This protest is part of a wider pattern of unrest among temporary staff who worked during the general elections, highlighting ongoing challenges in compensating election workers on time. Observers say timely payment is crucial not only for staff morale but also for maintaining trust in the electoral process.
The constables ended the march peacefully, with authorities promising to follow up on the matter and ensure that all pending payments are processed promptly.
When Habari Daily reached out for a comment from police, we were informed that all the constable who took part in the election process were paid their entitlements in full.
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