Police Releases 2023 Annual Crime Report

The Police annual crime report 2023 released today has indicated that a total of 84,907 cases were taken to court by the end of 2023 out of the 23,608 cases which were reported to police country wide.

The annual crime report which covers a period from 1st January to 31st December 2023 indicates that out of 94,523 cases which were under inquiry, 48,632 cases were not detected and only 123,590 were submitted to the office of the DPP were only 84,907 cases were taken to court.

Out of 84,907 cases that were submitted to court, 27,125 cases secured convictions, 843 cases were acquitted, 10,096 cases were dismissed, while 46,843 cases are still pending in court.

The released report also indicates that a total of 104,088 suspects were charged to court of which 94,622 were male adults, 6,509 suspects were female adults, 2,657 suspects were male juveniles, 300 were female juveniles.

A total of 213,601 persons were victims of crime of whom 139,939 were male adults, 60,279 were adult females, 9010 were male Juveniles, 22,327 were female juveniles.

On average 19,006 cases were reported to police per month in 2023 and November 2023 recorded the highest number of crimes reported to police with 20,577 cases followed by October 19,303 cases while March 2023 recorded lowest crimes with 18,367,

The report also indicates regions  that have continued to register highest crimes over the years include North Kyoga, Rwizi, Aswa, East Kyoga, Rwenzori West, Kigezi, Kampala Metropolitan South, West Nile, Katonga, Greater Bushenyi, Kampala Metropolitan East.

Other regions are , Busoga North, Sipi, Mt. Moroto, Ssezibwa, Kiira, Rwenzori East, and CID Headquarters registered the highest volumes of crimes while the districts of Lira, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Mpigi, Mbale and Gulu

While releasing the report at Police headquarters Naguru, the Inspector General of Police Okoth Martin Ochola noted that they will continue to work with sister security agencies in fighting crime.

“Our success has been due to the hard work of the police in coordination with sister security agencies, the reorganization of the CID , improved detection and investigation methods, and the establishment of a proactive network of credible intelligence,” Ochola said.

He added that police’s strategic partnerships with the community, including the involvement of other intelligence components have also greatly contributed to disrupting and dismantling criminal elements targeting our country.

AIGP Tom Mugambo the director CID revealed that they are focusing on changing the handling and investigation of cases.

The Director of Public Prosecution Jane Francis Abodo noted that there is need for police to ensure they summon witnesses to testify in courts of law to avoid cases being dismissed .Abodo also asked police to ensure training of officers on how to use technology to handle the changing face of crime.

She also noted that there is a need to determine the kind of suspects who are meant to receive police bonds to avoid releasing suspects on capital offences.