The latest annual crime report released by the Policeheadquarters in Naguru has revealed a slight decrease in reported cases compared to the previous year, indicating a modest improvement in the overall security situation in Uganda.
According to the report unveiled on Wednesday, the total number of cases reported in 2023 amounted to 228,074, reflecting a 1.5% reduction from the 231,653 cases reported in 2022. On average, this translates to 19,004cases reported per month throughout the year.
The breakdown of the reported cases reveals a diverse spectrum of criminal activities. Economic and corruption-related offenses accounted for 12,924 cases, while issues concerning children's welfare comprised 10,741 cases. Break-ins were reported at 14,543 instances, with sex-related offenses totaling 14,846 cases. Additionally, assault cases amounted to 29,884, and thefts constituted the majority with 65,901 cases reported.
Regarding the legal disposition of these cases, the report outlines that 84,907 cases were brought before the courts, while 94,535 cases remain under investigation. Furthermore, 843 cases resulted in the acquittal of suspects, while 10,096 cases were dismissed due to lack of prosecution. Presently, 46,843 cases are pending in court, while 123,590 cases have had their files submitted and await further action from the resident state attorneys.
The report also sheds light on the demographic profile of suspects involved in criminal activities. Out of 104,088suspects identified, the majority were male adults, totaling 94,622 individuals. Female adults comprised 6,509suspects, while male and female juveniles accounted for2,657 and 300 suspects, respectively. Notably, all identified suspects were apprehended and faced charges in court, with a conviction rate of 32.6%.
A concerning trend highlighted in the report is the resurgence of theft cases over the past two years. While theft incidents had initially declined in 2020 and 2021, there has been a notable uptick, with 61,508 cases reported in 2022 and 65,901 cases reported in 2023. Conversely, sex-related offenses have seen a marginal decrease from 15,638 cases in 2019 to 14,846 cases in 2023.
The report also delves into other categories of crime, including domestic violence and fire-related incidents. Domestic violence cases peaked at 17,644 in 2020 before slightly decreasing to 14,681 cases in 2023. Additionally, 1,144 fire-related incidents were reported in 2023, comprising 940 significant fires, 189 minor fires, and 15false alarms.
Lastly, the report addresses road safety, with 23,608crashes occurring on Ugandan roads in 2023. Among these, 4,179 were fatal accidents, resulting in loss of life, while 12,487 were categorized as serious accidents, causing injuries. Minor accidents, which involved only vehicle damage without casualties, accounted for 6,942incidents.
Overall, while the decline in reported cases suggests progress in curbing crime, challenges remain in ensuring the safety and security of Ugandan citizens across various domains, prompting ongoing efforts from law enforcement authorities and policymakers to address these concerns.
