The Ugandan government is evaluating a proposal to deploy 18 police officers to each sub-county in Ibanda District, a move intended to improve local security and crime response times. According to Nile Post, Minister of Internal Affairs Professor Ephraim Kamuntu announced this consideration during the opening of St. Andrew’s Church of Uganda in Nyabuhikye. The initiative responds to persistent local concerns regarding the frequency of murders and cattle theft, which residents argue are threatening their safety and property.
Jovrine Kaliisa Kyomukama, the Woman Member of Parliament for Ibanda District, highlighted the deteriorating security situation during the event. She noted that the trend of increasing criminal incidents necessitated stronger security measures to restore public confidence in law enforcement agencies. Her remarks emphasized the need for faster responses to criminal incidents and a more visible police presence in the communities most affected by the decline in safety.
In response to these calls, Kamuntu indicated that the government would enhance police presence at the sub-county level, aligning with President Yoweri Museveni’s 2020 commitment to a sub-county policing model. Under the proposed arrangement, the allocation of 18 officers per sub-county is designed to strengthen community policing, increase patrol frequency, and improve investigative capabilities. Kamuntu explained that positioning officers closer to residents would allow security agencies to prevent crime more effectively and respond to incidents with greater speed.
The church opening also served as a platform for broader economic discussions. Representing Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth, Kamuntu read a speech urging religious leaders to support government efforts to improve household incomes. The Speaker encouraged church leaders to mobilize congregations to shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture and to utilize wealth-creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model. This economic angle was presented as a complementary strategy to security improvements, aiming to foster productive economic activities and national development.
North West Ankole Diocese Bishop Amos Magezi also addressed the gathering, commending the collective effort of Christians in constructing the new church. He described the completed infrastructure as a testament to community collaboration and emphasized the church’s role as a center for worship and community development. The event brought together religious leaders, government officials, and residents, with security and economic transformation emerging as the primary topics of discussion for Ibanda District.