Thefts, assaults, and domestic violence have once again topped the police’s annual crime report for the year 2022.
According to the report released on Wednesday, there were 61,508 cases of theft, 32,041 common assaults, and 17,698 for domestic violence reported to police, indicating an increase from the number registered in 2021.
In the year 2021, there were 43583 cases of theft, 29317 common assaults, and 17533 domestic violence incidents reported to the police.
Despite ranking fourth in the report, the number of sex-related cases has decreased from 16,373 in 2021 to 14,693 in 2022.
Breakings and child-related offenses came in fifth and sixth, respectively. There were 13,826 breakings and 13,489 child-related offenses.
Meanwhile, 2022 saw an 18% increase in the volume of crimes reported to Police countrywide from 196,081 cases in 2021 to 231,653 cases in 2022. In comparison, 215,224 cases were reported in 2019 and 238,746 in 2018.
However, out of the 231,653 cases that were reported to the police in 2022, 68,405 cases were taken to court, 26749 cases were not proceeded with, and 136,499 cases are still under investigation.
The report indicates that of the 68,405 cases that were taken to court, the police secured convictions in only 10,648 cases.
The report also indicates that out of the 28 Policing Regions in Uganda, North Kyoga registered the highest number of cases (17,605), followed by KMP North with 16,691 cases, KMP South with 14,492 cases, Rwizi with 14,204 cases and Albertine with 13,544 cases.
When it comes to police divisions, out of the 183 Police Divisions, Old Kampala registered the highest number of cases (4,314 cases), followed by Katwe Police Division with 3,938 cases, Luwero Central Police Station with 3,902 cases, Kamuli Central Police Station with 3,268 cases and Kiryandongo Police Station with 3,179 cases.
While launching the report, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martin Okoth Ochola, thanked security agencies, the judiciary, the media, and the public for their unwavering support in fighting crime.
Deputy IGP Tom Magambo, disclosed that in 2022, they focused on improving the quality of services they offer, engaging communities through community policing programs, and developing the initial phase of digitalising their processes for easy tracking and analysis of crime trends.