The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced new directives requiring all police officers to prominently display their identities while on duty, saying the measure will strengthen accountability during arrests and interactions with civilians.
In a statement, Muhoozi said that, with immediate effect, all Ugandan police officers must wear their name tags on the right chest pocket of their uniforms.
He further directed officers to display their police badges and identification numbers on the left chest pocket.
“From today and forever more ALL Ugandan Police Officers will wear their name tags on their right chest pocket,” Muhoozi stated.
“They must also wear their police badge and number on their left chest pocket.”
The directive comes amid longstanding public concerns over police accountability, particularly during arrests, demonstrations and other security operations.
Muhoozi also addressed the rights of civilians during encounters with police officers. He said Ugandan citizens have the right to ask an arresting officer to identify themselves by providing their name and badge number.
“Finally, all Ugandan citizens have the right to demand the name and badge number of any arresting officer,” he said.
However, Muhoozi’s statement went further by asserting that civilians could resist an arrest if an officer failed to provide the requested identification.
“If they do not respond, you have the right to resist arrest,” he said.
The statement is likely to attract scrutiny because the circumstances under which a person may lawfully resist arrest are generally governed by Uganda’s laws and established procedures, rather than solely by an administrative directive.
The announcement also raises questions about how the new identification requirements will be implemented across the Uganda Police Force and whether officers who fail to comply will face disciplinary action.
Clear identification of law enforcement officers is widely regarded as an important accountability measure, particularly where allegations of unlawful arrests or excessive use of force arise.
Muhoozi’s directive places renewed focus on the relationship between Ugandan citizens and security agencies, with police identification expected to become a more visible requirement during arrests and other official operations.