By Segawa Robert
The Uganda Police Force’s Directorate of Interpol has issued a statement denying claims that it offers an “Express Certificate of Good Conduct” for a fee. The announcement follows growing complaints about middlemen or “blockers” extorting money from the public, promising to fast-track the process of obtaining the certificate.
SP Gordon Karuhanga, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Interpol, clarified that the only legitimate method of acquiring a Certificate of Good Conduct is through the normal process, which costs 80,000 UGX, including bank or mobile money charges. The application is submitted online, and payments can be made either through bank transfers or mobile money platforms.
“We do not issue any ‘Express’ certificates, and the claims of individuals offering to expedite the process are false,” Karuhanga emphasized. “Our process is transparent, and the public should only follow the official channels when applying.”
Karuhanga also reassured the public that the police have made improvements to the process. While the standard turnaround time used to be 8 days, the Directorate has reduced it to just 5 days for applicants to receive their Certificate of Good Conduct.
To apply for the certificate, Ugandans must have a valid email address, a National ID, and the 80,000 UGX for payment. He also pointed out that only individuals 14 years or older are eligible for a certificate. Those under 14 years of age are not required to provide fingerprints.
Additionally, Karuhanga noted that individuals with clean criminal records have a higher likelihood of receiving the certificate, while those with a criminal history may face complications in their application process.
The police are urging the public to avoid middlemen and to report any individuals or entities attempting to extort money for services related to the Certificate of Good Conduct. The Directorate has emphasized its commitment to maintaining a transparent, efficient, and accessible process for all citizens.
