UPF Set to Launch AI Chatbot to Improve Access to Police Services

What the report says

The Uganda Police Force is preparing to launch an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help people reach police services, emergency guidance and basic information more quickly. According to Nile Post, the tool is intended to answer common questions about police-related matters, including what to do in emergencies, where to seek help and how to access services provided by the force.

The initiative was discussed during a visit to the Police ICT facility at Kikandwa in Wakiso District, where officials highlighted the role of technology in improving public service delivery. SP Dr Aisha Kayongo, who works in the Directorate of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Publication and Information, said the chatbot should make it easier for citizens to get prompt responses when they are unsure how to handle urgent situations. SP Daniel Kitimbo, head of the AI Unit at RPI Kikandwa, said the system is expected to improve efficiency, accessibility and responsiveness.

Nile Post reported that the chatbot will not replace existing emergency channels such as 999, which will remain available. That point suggests the new tool is meant as a supplementary service rather than a substitute for direct emergency contact.

The police said the chatbot will be introduced to the public soon and rolled out in different parts of the country. More broadly, the move fits into a wider push by public institutions in Uganda and elsewhere to use digital tools to streamline citizen services, though the exact launch date and technical details were not provided in the article.