KAMPALA: Uganda Police has reported a 1.5% decrease in reported crimes from 231,653 cases in 2022 to 228,074 cases in 2023, as disclosed by Inspector General of Police Okoth Ochola during the launch of the 2023 Annual Crime Report at Police headquarters Naguru.
Ochola attributed the decrease to coordinated efforts with sister security agencies such as the UPDF, Prisons, SFC, JIC (CMI, ISO, CI, and ESO), JATT, which combated various crimes, resulting in reductions in gun-related crimes, illegal firearms, terrorism, gang activities, marine crimes, housebreaking, burglaries, acid attacks, motor vehicle thefts, and cattle raids in Karamoja and neighboring districts.
Furthermore, Ochola highlighted the Uganda Police Force’s focus on enhancing discipline and adherence to human rights by introducing disciplinary courts in all districts nationwide, stating, “The introduction of disciplinary courts marks a significant milestone. For instance, out of 933 complaints of human rights violations by the police, 794 were thoroughly investigated.”
He emphasized the role of strategic partnerships with communities and other intelligence components in disrupting and dismantling criminal elements targeting the country.
AIGP Tom Magambo Rwabudongo, the Director of Criminal Investigations, revealed that out of the total reported cases, 84,907 cases were taken to Court, 48,632 cases were not proceeded with, and 94,535 cases are still under inquiry.
Additionally, there was a 15.5% increase in common offenses registered by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety countrywide, rising from 456,993 cases in 2022 to 528,025 cases in 2023.
Rwabudongo noted an increase in road traffic crashes in 2023 compared to 2022, with 23,608 crashes reported, including 4,179 fatal, 12,487 serious, and 6,942 minor incidents.
