Serving police officers have been warned against posting social media videos while wearing the Uganda Police Force uniform, with spokesperson ACP Kituma Rusoke describing the practice as unlawful and unprofessional.
Rusoke said officers are allowed to maintain personal social media accounts, but that freedom does not extend to using the platforms in ways that breach professional expectations while in uniform.
The warning comes as videos of police officers participating in dance and music challenges continue to circulate online.
According to Rusoke, such content can compromise the public image and professionalism of the force.
“A social media account, one can have it in person, but the moment you want to communicate, you cannot use it,” Rusoke said.
He was particularly direct about officers recording themselves in uniform.
“It’s very unlawful for a serving officer to post a video in our uniform doing dance and music challenges,” he said, adding that officers engaging in the practice “should be charged.”
Rusoke also criticized the nature of some of the content appearing in the videos, describing some of the songs involved as inappropriate and saying the conduct was “very, very unprofessional.”
Police Have a Music Alternative
For officers interested in singing or performing, Rusoke pointed to an existing outlet within the institution: the Uganda Police Band.
He noted that the band includes a jazz group and officers who specialize in musical performances.
“The only difference is, for music, we have the Police Band. It even has a Jazz group,” he said.
“Those who want to sing should join the Police Band.”
Rusoke also distinguished between officers participating in social media challenges in uniform and those doing so while out of uniform.
He said out-of-uniform activity depends on the circumstances and content, but cautioned senior officers against posting material that could undermine the seriousness of their positions.
He cited a District Police Commander as an example, saying it could appear inappropriate for a senior officer responsible for chairing serious security meetings to simultaneously post videos of themselves participating in social media dance challenges.
“Then those who do the challenges out of uniform, it depends on the context, but not good for those holding high offices,” Rusoke said.
The message from police leadership is therefore not a blanket ban on officers having social media accounts. Rather, Rusoke’s warning focuses particularly on how officers represent the institution while wearing its uniform — and on the professional image expected of those holding senior positions.