The Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola has launched the Annual Police Crime Report of 2022, indicating a slight increment in cases of crime by 18%.

However, Dr. Tom Magambo, the Director of Criminal Investigations at Uganda Police, noted that the rise is a positive development since it indicates that citizens who reported the cases to the police have confidence in the police handling those cases of crime. 

The Inspector General of Police presided over the launch of the Annual Police Crime Reports 2022 at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.

The launch of the Annual Police Crime Report is part of the accountability the police gives to the population on how the force is fulfilling its mandate as stipulated under Article 212 of the 1995 Constitution.

The Police Director of Criminal Investigations, Dr. Tom Mugambo is the head of the Secretariat that compiles the Annual Police Crime Report. 

He explained that there was an 18 percent increment in the crimes the public reported in 2022 and attributed it to several factors, including the full reopening of the economy after the COVID-19 lockdown. Magambo considered it a positive development.

The CID chief also noted that the police faced tough times during the period under review where thugs attacked a number of police posts, took away about 30 guns and also left some officers dead. Magambo says most of the guns have been recovered and a number of suspects arrested. They now await trial.   

The Acting police Directorof Traffic and Road Safety Uganda, Lawrence Niwabiine noted with concern the rise in road accidents, especially during rush hours since people are exhausted from their daily routines.

He noted that more sensitization is needed on road safety in Uganda and this ignorance has led to the loss of many lives, mainly productive youth yet that could have been easily avoided. Nuwabiine also said that research has been conducted on road safety and measures put in place to curb accidents. So there is hope the situation will soon improve.

The Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola, noted that there was an increase in crimes reported from 196, 081 to 231, 653. Of these cases, 68,405 were taken to court, 26, 749 were still being processed while 136, 499 cases were still under investigation. 

He noted a slight improvement in prosecutions compared to 2021 where 65, 008 cases went to court, 60, 095 not proceeded with and 70, 978 cases under inquiry.

The majority of cases reported in 2022 included, theft, assault, domestic violence, homicide and sex-related crimes.