The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has warned media outlets about inaccurate and misleading reporting about its operations. In a press release dated August 9, 2024, the police highlighted several instances of false information being disseminated to the public.
One such incident involved the New Vision newspaper’s erroneous reporting of a stolen police van as the Inspector General of Police’s official vehicle.
The UPF strongly condemned this misrepresentation, asserting that it not only misled the public but also tarnished the force’s reputation.
In another instance, the online publication Spyreports was accused of sensationalizing a supposed allocation of 300 billion shillings for renovating the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters. The police dismissed this claim as entirely false, emphasizing that the figure grossly exaggerated the budget allocated for the project.
The UPF expressed deep concern over the impact of such misinformation on public perception of the police. The force urged media houses to uphold journalistic ethics and to verify information from credible sources before publication.
“We call upon all media outlets to be responsible and accurate in their reporting,” said ACP R. Kituuma psc (U), the UPF’s Public Relations Officer. “Misleading the public undermines the trust between the police and the community, which is essential for effective policing.”
The police warned that it would not tolerate reckless reporting that undermines the force’s integrity. They emphasized their commitment to transparency and open communication with the public.
