The Ministry of Public Service has abolished the cadre of Law Enforcement Assistant, one of the most far-reaching reforms in careers and qualifications for all local governments. These reforms, which encourage career development and prevent the hemorrhaging of skills, will affect the Law Enforcement Officer cadre responsible for ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order, particularly in cities.

Previously, law enforcement officers were recruited at the diploma and certificate levels and comprised the ranks of Senior Law Enforcement Officers, Law Enforcement Officers, Assistant Law Enforcement Officers, and Law Enforcement Assistants. However, complaints of low pay and limited chances for advancement led many officers to seek higher qualifications without matching career prospects.

Streamlining Roles and Qualifications

On December 9, 2024, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, issued a new Approved Scheme of Service for Law Enforcement Officers. The circular- Standing Instruction No. 15 of 2024-aligned job functions and revised academic requirements for the other remaining roles, including Senior Law Enforcement Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, and Assistant Law Enforcement Officer.

Under the new requirements, a Senior Law Enforcement Officer/Law Enforcement Officer should have an Honors Degree in Law, Development Studies, or Social Science, with formal training in policing and criminal investigations. The senior officers should have three years of relevant experience, while those being recruited as Law Enforcement Officers do not require prior experience.

For Assistant Law Enforcement Officers, applicants need to have a diploma in the same fields and some formal training in policing and criminal investigations.

Revised Salaries

The reforms include a pay rise for the police ranks: the Senior Law Enforcement Officer, UGX 990,000 from UGX 449,000; Law Enforcement Officer, UGX 760,000 from UGX 449,000; Assistant Law Enforcement Officer pay rises to UGX 470,000 from UGX 337,000. The changes are expected to enhance retention and ensure that pay is commensurate with responsibilities.

Next Steps of Validation and Redesignation

Consequent upon the above, Chief Administrative Officers and other officers concerned are being addressed to forward the lists of police personnel to District or City Service Commissions for verification and re-designation. Serving incumbents of the abolished categories would be taken into consideration for higher grades if they fulfill the new minimum qualification and experience requirements.

“Where posts have been phased out, serving officers shall be considered for appointment to higher grades, provided they meet the minimum qualifications and experience,” the circular states.

Revision of Job Descriptions

In another circular letter dated December 16, 2024, Bitarakwate scrapped job descriptions and person specifications from 2011 and 2017 and introduced new ones for 2024. These have introduced higher qualifications for certain senior positions like town clerks, heads of departments, and principal officers. For example, Chief Administrative Officers will need an Honors Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, a Certificate in Administrative Law, and 12 years of experience.

The changes also introduce higher academic qualifications for the posts of Sub County Chiefs, Senior Information Officers, and Accountants. Lower cadre positions, such as office typists and attendants, have retained their previous requirements. Office typists are required to have a certificate in secretarial studies, while office attendants and drivers are among the lowest-paid cadres in local government.

Impact on Recruitment and Retention

Some districts like Luwero and Nakasongola had already started the recruitment process before the issuance of the circulars. Aggrey Winston Muramira, the Chief Administrative Officer of Nakasongola District, confirmed that all future recruitments and promotions would follow the updated rules.

This move has received various ululations from all circles including Martin Paul Yiga, Luwero’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Bernard Okello, the Principal Human Resource Officer of the district since it has been confirmed that the majority of the police personnel serving within its jurisdictions were Diploma or Honors Bachelor’s degree holders.

There have been issues with retaining staff, especially law enforcement officers, because they were earning less in local government compared to private practice. These reforms will help address that,” Okello said.

Challenges Ahead

While the reforms promise better pay and career growth, anxiety persists among senior officers with Honors Bachelor’s Degrees or postgraduate diplomas. Many fear job losses in the next restructuring, expected in 2027, as only applicants with Honors Bachelor’s Degrees will qualify for recruitment or promotion. Those with pass degrees will be ineligible.

He added that the reforms ensure clarity and support on the right directions that staff will take, aside from streamlining processes; adding that raising finances for validation and redesignation remained the critical challenge.

With these changes, as the Ministry of Public Service is effecting, the ultimate goal shall be an effective workforce, better motivated to give effective service delivery to the local governments of Uganda. The phasing-out roles and updated requirements usher in a new era of professionalism and accountability in the public service.