Bouncers reminded of role in public safety as 2026 elections loom

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As Uganda moves closer to the 2026 general election, the police have called on bouncers to uphold professionalism while on duty.

Joseph Karugaba, the officer in charge of Gulu Central Police Station, delivered this message during a training session for local bouncers in Gulu City on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Organised by the Microfinance Support Center, the training aimed to equip bouncers with financial literacy skills while also reinforcing their role in maintaining security.

Karugaba emphasised the critical function bouncers play in crowd control and VIP protection, particularly for musicians, politicians, and other high-profile figures.

With Gulu’s lively entertainment scene drawing diverse crowds, he urged bouncers to remain calm, composed, and emotionally intelligent while handling situations.

He cautioned them against taking on large crowds alone, advising them to seek police support when necessary.

“The presence of a police uniform often commands more authority than that of a bouncer, ensuring greater compliance,” he noted.

Additionally, he reminded bouncers of their responsibility to detain wrongdoers and promptly hand them over to law enforcement.

Michael Ojok, president of the Northern Uganda Bouncer Association (NUBA), reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professionalising the field.

He explained that NUBA has officially registered numerous bouncers, who operate under both the association’s constitution and the national legal framework.

Ojok highlighted ongoing collaborations with security agencies to improve bouncers’ skills in ethical crowd management, communication, and conflict resolution.

“The training has significantly reformed many bouncers, some of whom previously engaged in misconduct,” he said.

He also noted that bouncers are actively working with government security forces to enhance safety across the city.

However, NUBA spokesperson Simon Kakaum acknowledged concerns over the bouncers’ dress code, which has been criticised for resembling that of anti-terrorism police.

In 2024, security forces raided NUBA’s office and confiscated tactical gear, including knee guards, bulletproof jackets, and military-style trousers, arguing that such attire is restricted to security forces.

Despite this, Kakaum revealed that discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Security and the Bouncers Association of Uganda (BAU) to establish a standardised uniform for bouncers nationwide.

He also pointed out the challenges posed by individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a lingering effect of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict in northern Uganda.

These individuals sometimes cause disturbances in public spaces, making security enforcement difficult.

However, Kakaum noted that recent training efforts have significantly reduced the use of force by bouncers in such cases.

As a result of these improvements, many venues in Gulu now prefer hiring bouncers over police or Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) personnel, highlighting the growing trust in bouncers to maintain security in the city's vibrant social scene.