Uganda Police

Overview

The Uganda Police Force (UPF), under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, recruits new officers at entry level as Probationer Police Constables (PPC). Recruitment is announced by the Inspector General of Police when vacancies open; it is not a fixed annual exam. Shortlisted applicants go through a set of interviews made up of a fitness test, an aptitude test, an oral test and a medical examination, and those selected are appointed only after completing Police Basic Training.

In the 2025 round, the UPF advertised 10,000 Probationer Police Constable vacancies on salary scale U7. The duties listed were enforcing and preserving law and order, protecting life and property, and preventing and detecting crime.

Who can apply

For the 2025 Probationer Police Constable recruitment, applicants had to:

• be Ugandan citizens with a valid National ID, or a Confirmation of Information on the Register letter from NIRA

• be aged 18 to 25

• have no criminal record

• be physically and medically fit

• be ready to undergo Police Basic Training, to work long hours in difficult conditions, and to serve anywhere in the country

• have good communication skills

• not be a serving or former officer of another force

Education. A Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or equivalent, obtained in a sitting in 2020 or later, with:

• under the traditional grading system, at least four credits including either English or Mathematics, and at least a pass in the other of the two; or

• under the competency-based system, at least four C grades including either English or Mathematics, and at least a D in the other.

Candidates with higher academic qualifications were told not to apply to this post. Women were encouraged to apply, and a valid driving permit counted as an advantage.

Selection process

1. Written application delivered to the police district or divisional headquarters.

2. Shortlisting. The UPF publishes lists of successful applicants invited to interview, with a programme of recruitment centres and dates.

3. Interviews at designated recruitment centres, made up of:

   • a fitness test

   • an aptitude test

   • an oral test

   • a medical examination

4. Police Basic Training. Appointment into the force follows successful completion of training.

Important dates

For 2025, applications closed on Friday 21 March 2025, and interviews for shortlisted candidates began on 28 April 2025. In the 2024 round, interviews began on 6 May 2024. Dates change with each recruitment, so watch the UPF website for the current notice.

Fees

Every stage of recruitment is free. The UPF warns applicants not to pay anyone for any service during the process.

How to apply

For 2025, applicants submitted a handwritten application addressed to the Inspector General of Police in a file folder, with:

• photocopies of academic documents

• a photocopy of the National Identity Card

• three recent passport-size photographs

• an identity card or introductory letter from the previous school

• recommendation letters from the LCI, LCIII and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of the applicant's district of residence

Shortlisted candidates had to report to their recruitment centre by 8 a.m. on their scheduled day, bringing their original National Identity Card and original academic documents.

Impersonation or forged documents lead to arrest and prosecution, and applicants who hide or give false information are disqualified.

Preparation tips

• Check that your UCE year and grades match the notice exactly; papers from before 2020 did not qualify in the 2025 round.

• Collect the LC and RDC recommendation letters early, since they come from several offices.

• Build general fitness before the interview stage, as the fitness test and medical examination come alongside the aptitude and oral tests.

• Rely only on official UPF notices and shortlists, and never pay anyone who offers to help you get recruited.