In summary

• Crime rates has increased by 3.3% in Uganda
• crime against persons have topped the list of the most registered cases.
• Lira, Ntugamo and Mbarara have registered most crime cases

According to the 2017 annual crime and traffic report released by police on July 18, 2017, there has been an increase in cases of violent crimes against persons such as Homicides, thefts and Child Related crimes.

IGP OKOTH OCHOLA PHOTO BY WATCH DOG UGANDA

Homicide cases registered showed an increase from 4,315 in 2016 to 4,473 cases in 2017.

Generally, there has been a 3.3% increase of crime rates in 2017 compared to 2016. In total, the report indicates 252,065 cases registered in the year 2017, to 243,988 cases in the previous year.

In terms of districts, the most crime cases registered were committed in Lira followed by Ntugamo and Mbarara.

The Inspector General of Police JM Okoth Ochola however attributed the rising crime levels on increased economic activity.

“There is a lot of economic activity, thus increase in crime,” he said.

Director CID Grace Akullo while presenting the report railed of the law funding to her directorate, which, according to her, has distorted the way crime is managed.

She however reported a progress in the arrest of perpetrators of the women murders especially in Entebbe and other areas of wakiso.

“18 suspects were produced in court, while 14 of them were committed to High Court in Entebbe. In Nansana, 13 suspects were arrested while one of them was properly identified through DNA,” Akullo reported

As a way of curbing crime in the country, IGP Ochola has pledged to lobby for more funds to facilitate law enforcement especially key directorates like CID to ensure that they do their work efficiently.

Despite of the general increase in crime across Uganda, road traffic cases registered reduced by 8.6% from 14,474 in 2016 to 13,244 in 2017.  Of the 13,244 accidents registered, only 3,051 were fatal, 6,530 serious and 3,663 were minor.

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