Crime Report: IGP Byakagaba credits Damulira, Magambo as Crime drops by 10%

The Uganda Police Force has reported a 10.2 percent reduction in crime cases in 2025, according to the Annual Crime Report launched on Monday at Police Headquarters in Naguru.

The report was officially unveiled by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abbas Byakagaba, who said the decline reflects intensified efforts by security agencies to prevent and investigate crime across the country.

According to the report, a total of 196,405 cases were reported to Police in 2025, compared to 218,715 cases recorded in 2024, representing a drop of 22,310 cases.

Out of the total cases reported in 2025, 115,301 cases were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal guidance and sanction. Of these, 79,291 cases were taken to court.

Police further revealed that 24,899 cases resulted in convictions, leading to 31,732 people being convicted and sentenced.

Speaking during the launch, IGP Byakagaba attributed the decline in reported crime to improved intelligence gathering and strengthened criminal investigations within the force.

He particularly credited the Crime Intelligence Directorate, headed by Maj Gen Christopher Damulira, for enhancing surveillance and intelligence-led operations that have helped in preventing crime and tracking down suspects.

Byakagaba also recognized the role of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) under Maj Tom Magambo, saying the directorate’s investigations had significantly contributed to successful case handling and prosecution.

In the area of traffic-related offences, Police also registered a notable decline.

The report indicates that Police recorded 322,441 traffic-related offences in 2025, down from 426,432 cases in 2024, representing a 24.4 percent decrease.

However, despite the reduction in traffic offences, road safety remains a major concern.

According to the report, a total of 26,044 road crashes were reported in 2025. Of these, 4,602 were fatal, 13,563 were serious, and 7,879 were minor crashes.

The figures highlight the continued challenge of reckless driving, poor road use, and road safety violations, even as Police report progress in enforcement and crime control.

The Annual Crime Report is one of the key accountability tools used by the Uganda Police Force to assess crime trends, guide deployment, and shape future policing strategies.

With the latest figures showing a decline in both general crime and traffic-related offences, Police leadership says the focus will now remain on sustaining intelligence-led policing, improving investigations, and strengthening prosecution to further reduce crime.