The Uganda Police Force has registered a 1.5% decline in the number of crime cases reported in the year 2023 as compared to 2022.

The revelation was made by the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola, during the launch of the Annual Crime Report 2023 at the police headquarters in Naguru on February 21, 2024.

According to Ochola, 231,653 crime cases were registered in 2022, while 228,074 crime cases were registered in 2023.

Ochola attributed this to the fact that the force established disciplinary courts in every district throughout the country with the aim of enforcing discipline within the force and ensuring that officers adhere to professional standards and human rights.

He cited an example of 794 cases that were investigated out of the 933 cases that were registered by the public against police officers who violated human rights.

Tom Magambo, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), said that out of the total cases reported to the police countrywide, 84,907 cases were taken to court, 48,632 cases were not proceeded with, and 94,535 cases are still under inquiry.

“Out of the cases taken to court, 27,125 cases secured convictions, 843 cases were acquitted, 10,096 cases were dismissed, and 46,843 cases are still pending in court,” Magambo added.

In the year 2022, there was an 18% increase in the crimes reported to police; from 196,081 cases reported in 2021 to 231,653 cases. According to the police, this was due to the full opening of the economy after the COVID-19 lockdown.