Police Direct Private Security Firms to Tighten Gurn Control

What the report says

Police in Uganda have instructed private security organisations to tighten control over firearms issued to their guards after officers said 23 guns originally held by private security personnel were recovered from criminals since January 2026, according to Nile Post. Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke said the recoveries show weaknesses in how security firms manage, track and supervise weapons.

Rusoke said companies should only arm trained and authorised guards, keep firearms moving only between armouries and approved posts, and maintain clear records for every weapon. He also urged firms to report any lost or stolen gun immediately so police can begin tracing it quickly, rather than trying to manage such cases internally. The guidance also warned against allowing unauthorised staff to handle guns.

Police linked the issue to wider concerns about discipline, staffing and accountability in the private security sector. Rusoke cautioned that cutting costs by deploying too few guards can increase the chance of firearms being stolen or diverted. He said weapons taken from private security guards can later be used in crimes against the same businesses they were meant to protect.

The article also notes that police cited a firearm recovered on September 17 that was linked to a kidnapping case in Buikwe, illustrating the possible criminal uses of diverted weapons. More broadly, the case highlights the challenge of controlling firearms in private security operations and the need for tighter armoury management and vetting.