Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister of Internal Affairs
The practice of Police offering escort cars and Police officers to protect prominent Pastors should stop, Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister of Internal Affairs, has said.
He says the men of God should instead seek protection from God not Police.
He made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee on 23rd January 2026, during the consideration of the 2026/27 National Budget Framework Paper for Uganda Police Force.
“Those (pastors) work for God and God will protect them. That’s the responsibility of God (to protect them),” Otafiire said.
His remarks were in response to a concern raised by Wilson Kagyengwe (Nyabushozi County) who wondered why Pastors are among the people being protected by Police.
“The concerns have been and continue to be, like these people, the preachers, are they entitled also to escorts? We would think that really, why would a preacher now need physical escort? Is he under threat, from whom?” Kagyengwe said.
The discussion around Police escorts was ignited by David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, who revealed that the high demand for lead cars is overwhelming Police as most of the individuals demanding for these privileges expect Police to purchase brand new lead cars.
“Save for a few offices; Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice, but we can’t afford to buy vehicles for other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and this is the essence of CCTVs,” said Minister Muhoozi, adding that the cost of offering escort cars is huge.
Kagyengwe concurred with the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the need to curb appetite for escort cars remarking, “You know, the escort of this car goes with a huge cost of you providing, and of course you provide the car, then it gets fuel, then wear and tear. So, if there was an intelligent way, if we increased CCTV coverage and integration and it reduced on crime, there would be less need for physical man power to protect.”
It has become fashionable for top pastors in Uganda to seek protection and lead cars from Police.
