Crime falls to 5.2% in 2018, IGP Ochola Applauds Museveni for CCTV Project

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Okoth Martin Ochola has this morning released the 2018 Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report indicating a decline in crime by 5.2%.

Crime falls to 5.2% in 2018, IGP Ochola Applauds Museveni for CCTV Project
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The Inspector General of Police, IGP Okoth Martin Ochola has this morning released the 2018 Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report indicating a decline in crime by 5.2%.
While addressing the press at Naguru Police headquarters, the IGP said President Museveni is to be credited for the strategic guidance towards the fight against crime and for the establishment of anti-crime infrastructure such as installation of CCTV cameras, finger printing of guns, recruitment of LDUs among others.

The IGP further applauded the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Government of Uganda for the continued support in helping the Police protect and serve Ugandans. 

“Appreciation goes to Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs for their support on the implementation of CCTV project. We acknowledge and commend the continued positive contribution by sister security agencies. We also commend the contribution by the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) institutions as well as other development partners for the complementary efforts in fighting crime” he said.

Ochola applauded the vigilance of the population, in general, for their continued invaluable support to augment the efforts of the Police before thanking his own officers and the entire Police Management, for their tireless efforts in making our country safe and secure.

He then revealed that the year 2018 saw a decrease in the volume of crime by 5.2%, where 238,746 cases were registered compared to 252,065 cases registered in 2017. Cases taken to court in 2018 were 73,035. Of these, 22,263 cases secured convictions, 1,248 cases were acquitted while 90,763 cases were still under inquiry by the end of the year. 

According to IGP Ochola, there was however increase in Homicide, Sex Related Crimes, Break-ins, Robbery, Political/Media crimes and Narcotic cases. The year also saw unfortunate incidences in which Susan Magara and 15 others were kidnapped and Murdered, Killing of Hon Abiriga Ibrahim, ASP Kirumira Muhammad and Dr. Gwaluka Ibrahim who were shot dead by organised gang of criminals. We are however happy to note that, the criminals involved in these acts have been arrested and committed to High Court for trial, save for the case of Hon. Abiriga Ibrahim.

The IGP urged the public to desist from taking the law into their hands and instead hand over suspects to Police since there was an increase in murder as a result of mob action by 5.5% from the year 2017. There was also a 7.3% decrease in fire emergencies handled by Police. This is attributed to increased fire safety sensitization and public awareness campaigns throughout the year 2018. I still urge the public to desist from making false calls to Police about fire incidents. Police received 34 false calls in 2018. 

There was a 3.0% reduction in the number of crashes reported in 2018. Fatal crashes however increased by 4.7% and serious crashes reduced by 6.8%.
“We shall continue with our road safety programs targeting major causes of accidents such as over speeding, drunk driving and incompetent drivers. Improving road safety is, ultimately, a joint effort between the community and the Police. Once again, I extend my appreciation to the public, JLOS institutions and all other partners for the complementary efforts in fighting crime” the IGP noted.  He also urged members of the public to continue supporting the Uganda Police Force to fulfill its mandate. 

“My appreciation also goes to the Director CID and the CID management for the supervisory role they played in coming up with the 2018 Annual Crime Report My appreciation also goes to SSP Suwed Asuman, Ag CP Crime Data management and his team at CID Headquarters as well as all the UPF records personnel throughout the country that put this work together as we protect and serve Ugandans I once again call upon all Ugandans to keep up the spirit of joining hands with the Police in the fight against crime to ensure a crime free society” IGP Ochola noted.

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