IGP Ochola launches the 2017 Annual Crime report

The Inspector General of Police JM Okoth Ochola has today 18th July 2018 launched the 2017 Annual Crime and Traffic Road Safety Report at Police Headquarters Naguru.

In his introductory remarks, IGP said;

I am pleased to present to you the annual crime report for the year 2017. In a special way, I acknowledge and commend the continued positive contribution of the sister security agencies namely Internal Security Organization (ISO), External Security Organization and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).

We also commend the equally invaluable contribution by our partners form the Justice Law and Order Sector institutions namely the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Office of the Attorney General, Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL), Uganda Prison Service and other stakeholders like Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Office of the Auditor General, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Inspector­ate of Government (IGG), Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB), Uganda Human Rights Commission(UHRC) as well as other development partners.

We express deep appreciation to HE the President of Uganda as well as the National Secu­rity Council (NSC) whose strategic guidance and support remains critical.

CRIME

While we acknowledge that crimes reported to police increased by 3.3%, this is attributed to the public confidence in the police ability to deal with the reported crimes and making more reports than before. There was a decrease in the following crime categories, eco­nomic crimes, sex related crimes, breakings, robbery, assaults and political/ media crimes.

We however note with concern the increase in incidents of violent crimes against persons such as Homicides, thefts and Child Related crimes.

There was a 19% decrease in fire emergencies handled by police from 1,356 incidents in 2016 to 1,099 incidents in 2017. This was attributed to fine sensitization and public aware­ness campaigns.

TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY

Road Traffic Crashes registered a 8.6% reduction in the number of accidents reported in 2016 from 14,474 in 2016 to 13,244 in 2017. 3,051 were fatal, 6,530 serious and 3,663 were minor.

The efforts in building traffic police through quantitative and qualitative improvements has yielded positive results and expect further higher quality service delivery in the years to come.

CONCLUSION

Finally as we acknowledge that the Task of fighting crime and keeping our roads safe is still a major challenge, we are convinced that our community policing drive with popular participation and vigilance, combined with a motivated professional force shall overcome acts of criminality.

Once again, I extend my appreciation and gratitude to the public, JLOS institutions and all other partners with whom we have continued to work together to ensure that our country is safe and secure.

Thank you

JM Okoth Ochola Esq.

Inspector General of Police

13^th July, 2018