The Uganda Police Force has rolled out a major fleet expansion, deploying 162 vehicles and 1,040 motorcycles across the country to reinforce security operations ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The new assets have been distributed to regional commands, districts and sub-counties in a nationwide exercise aimed at boosting visibility, improving patrol coverage and enabling quicker response to emerging incidents. Police leaders say the approach is intended to close long-standing mobility gaps that have slowed community policing efforts, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Each sub-county is expected to receive at least two motorcycles to enhance daily patrols, intelligence gathering and follow-up of crime reports. The vehicles meanwhile have been allocated to divisions and specialized units that handle election-related duties, public order management and emergency response.
During the handover, the force noted that improving transport capability is one of the key strategies for preventing violence and ensuring order as campaigns intensify in the coming months. Officials also described the deployment as part of a wider effort to decentralise resources and push operational capacity closer to communities rather than concentrating mobility at headquarters and regional centres.
While the new fleet has drawn praise as a timely investment ahead of a sensitive political period, human rights observers have urged the force to balance increased presence with professionalism, accountability and adherence to lawful conduct to avoid abuses during the elections.