Summary:
According to the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, AIGP Tom Magambo Rwabudongo, a total of 14,425 sex-related cases were registered nationwide in 2024, representing 6.6% of all crimes.
KAMPALA: Police have reported a 4.1% decrease in the number of crimes reported, from 228,074 cases in 2023 to 218,715 cases in 2024.
According to the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, AIGP Tom Magambo Rwabudongo, a total of 14,425 sex-related cases were registered nationwide in 2024, representing 6.6% of all crimes.
This marks a 2.8% decrease from the 14,846 cases reported in 2023.
Regarding domestic violence, 14,073 cases were reported in 2024 compared to 14,681 in 2023, reflecting a 4% decline.
AIGP Magambo also noted that 105 cases of Political, Electoral, and Media Offences were reported in 2024, compared to 125 in 2023—a 16% decrease.
“As we enter the election period, I assure Ugandans that we will protect you, and you will vote in peace,” he stated.
However, he reported a 1.6% increase in Economic and Corruption Crimes, with cases rising from 12,924 in 2023 to 13,132 in 2024.
“If you are misusing public funds, we will catch you, and you will surely go to jail—you will go to Luzira,” he warned.
Speaking at the official launch of the 2024 Annual Crime Report at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, expressed gratitude to citizens who reported crimes in 2024.
“These reports enabled us to compile this Annual Crime Report and assess our progress in fulfilling our constitutional mandate,” he stated.
He highlighted efforts to reorganize the police force from a city-focused operation to a nationwide force, as directed by the President of Uganda.
“To achieve this, we have begun implementing the Sub-County Policing Model, deploying 18 officers per sub-county. This aims to decentralize police services, enhance crime prevention, and ensure quick response to incidents,” he explained.
Byakagaba emphasized improving police personnel’s mindset, operational readiness, welfare, housing, health, and capacity building to maintain professionalism.
“I commend the coordination we have built with key stakeholders, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, JLOS, Local Councils, the general public, sister security agencies such as the UPDF, Prisons, ISO, ESO, and both local and international organizations. This collaboration has contributed to our success in maintaining law and order,” he noted.
On road safety, the Director of Traffic and Road Safety, AIGP Lawrence Nuwabiine, reported that careless overtaking and speeding were the leading causes of road crashes in 2024, accounting for 44.5% of all incidents.
He revealed that road traffic crashes increased by 6.4% in 2024 compared to 2023.
“More crashes were reported during the daytime than at night. This trend is also reflected in fatal crashes, where most occurred during the day,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Fire and Rescue Services, AIGP Stephen Tanui, reported that most fires occurred in residential buildings, followed by makeshift structures, with 300 and 250 cases, respectively.
“There was a 9% increase in school fires, rising from 50 cases in 2023 to 55 in 2024. The primary cause was electricity-related incidents, including short circuits and unattended electrical appliances, followed by negligence and misuse of wax candles. The Kampala Metropolitan Region recorded the highest number of fire incidents, with 993 cases,” he explained.
