By Executive Editor

In May 2024, President Yoweri Museveni, who also doubles as the Commander-in-Chief (C-i-C), made sweeping changes in the country’s police force. Senior Army officers earlier deployed in police as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Chief of Joint Staff, and Directors, among others, were sent packing. However, AIGP Christoper Damulira and AIGP Tom Magambo remained and continue to head the Crime Intelligence (CI) Directorate and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of Police. Damulira and Magambo were not maintained for the mere purpose of filling office space. Their joint work in ensuring that criminals are brought to justice. 

In 2023, there was a 1.5% decrease in the volume of crimes reported to police, from 231,653 cases registered in 2022 to 228,074 cases. 52.4% (119,511) of all crimes were committed in urban centers, 40.5% (92,370) in rural areas, and 7.1% (16,193) were committed along the highways. Out of the total cases reported to the police countrywide, 84,907 cases were taken to court. There has been an increase in the number of cases taken to court in 2023. For instance, the month of November registered the highest number of cases taken to court (7,710 cases), followed by October with 7,491 cases taken to court, September with 7,405 cases taken to court, and April with 7,346 cases. There has been a general increase in convictions secured from January to December 2023. That is, January 2023 secured the highest convictions (2,599 convictions), October with 2,469 convictions, and September with 2,406 convictions.

During the same period (2023), the CI and CID jointly put together the missing brick in the assassination of Prosecutor Joan Kagezi. Others include operations against the Allied Democratic Cell in Katakala Nsimbi Parish in Mityana district; crashing a network of ADF collaborators in trafficking in persons; breaking open the myths in vehicle theft; and making arrests and recoveries. The CID and CI also conducted operations in 11 schools attacked in the country, probed aggravated robberies in Eastern Uganda, and had the entire gang whipped out.