Uganda Zaabu!! Over 2000 Ghost Uganda Police Officers On Payroll – MPs Left In Shock By The Billions Spent On The Ghost Officers

Members of Parliament’s Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs expressed shock after learning about the presence of over 2,000 ‘ghost’ police officers on the payroll.

The revelation came during an interface with the shadow minister for internal affairs, Betty Nambooze. She presented a report to the committee indicating the staggering number of phantom officers receiving salaries.Nambooze raised concerns about the Police Force’s request to recruit additional officers before the 2026 elections.

She argued that addressing the issue of ghost officers should be a priority before allocating funds for further recruitment.

“On the orders of the IGP Ochola, an audit was carried out by police and it revealed that in the Force, there had been 2,000 ghost police officers who continued to earn salaries. As he was handing over, IGP Kale Kayihura said that he had left a force of 46,000 personnel,” said Nambooze.

The shadow minister emphasized the need to focus budget allocations for the coming financial year (2024-2025) on critical areas. These include improving police housing and eliminating ‘ghost’ officers from the payroll.

Nambooze argued that these actions should be taken before requesting additional funds for recruitment with a payroll already burdened by phantom personnel.

In response, committee chairperson Wilson Kajwengye directed the clerk to summon the internal affairs minister, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, and police leadership for an explanation on the matter.

Last month,  The Ministry of Public Service  disclosed that 1,982 Public Officers categorized as “Potential Ghosts” did not report and will be removed from the payroll this March 2024.

Additionally, Hon. Grace Mary Mugasa, the Minister of State for Public Service, announced the deletion of 1,975 Public Servants who failed to meet verification requirements, effective immediately this March 2024, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

“In addition, 1,975 Public Servants who did not meet the verification requirements are to be deleted from the Payroll with immediate effect, this March 2024”, said Hon. Grace Mary Mugasa, the Minister of State for Public Service, while addressing Journalists at the Uganda Media Centre.

Minister Mugasa explained that regular quarterly reviews of payroll across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Local Governments, excluding those with autonomous payroll systems, uncovered various irregularities, prompting a recommendation for a comprehensive special audit by the Ministries of Public Service and Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.

She noted that out of 338,966 Public Officers using either the central payroll or autonomous systems, fully verified individuals would remain on the payroll, while 24,757 were partially verified and temporarily retained.

Furthermore, Minister Mugasa mentioned the removal of 2,054 Public Officers due to transfers, absences, or decease. Additionally, 3,824 individuals in similar circumstances who remained on the active payroll would be immediately removed starting March 2024.

“The reviews established a number of irregularities in payroll management which prompted the Ministries of Public Service and Finance, Planning and Economic Development to recommend a comprehensive special audit of the payroll”, she added.

“A total of 3,824 Public Officers who were either transferred or absconded or died who remained on the active payroll will also be deleted from payroll with immediate effect from March, 2024”, She Noted.

The Ministry’s audit covered the period from July 1, 2019, to December 30, 2023, encompassing entities drawing wages from the consolidated fund as well as select corporations and companies with government stakes.