Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued a fresh directive aimed at strengthening the identification and accountability of Uganda Police officers, ordering personnel to visibly display their names and identification details while on duty.
In a post on X, Muhoozi directed that all police officers across Uganda wear their official name tags on the right chest pocket of their uniforms, making it easier for members of the public to know who is carrying out an operation.
He further instructed officers to display their police badges and identification numbers on the left chest pocket, creating a clear identification system intended to make individual officers more easily traceable during encounters with civilians.
Muhoozi said the new requirement would apply immediately, stressing the importance of ensuring that police officers can be identified while performing their duties, particularly during arrests and other law-enforcement operations.
He also stated that every Ugandan citizen has the right to ask an arresting officer for their name and badge number. The directive therefore places greater emphasis on transparency between law enforcement personnel and the public.
“All Ugandan citizens have the right to demand the name and badge number of any arresting officer,” Muhoozi said, adding that officers who fail to provide the required identification would have consequences for the legality of the arrest.
His claim that citizens would have the right to resist arrest where an officer fails to identify themselves is likely to generate debate, particularly over how such a provision would interact with existing police procedures and laws governing arrest and the use of force.
The announcement comes amid broader discussions about police accountability and public confidence in law enforcement. If implemented consistently, the visible display of names and badge numbers could make it easier to identify officers involved in alleged misconduct and strengthen mechanisms for reporting and investigating complaints.
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