Overall crime registered across the country in 2018 has reduced by 5.2 per cent as compared to 2017.
However, murder cases increased by 5.5 per cent, according to the Annual Crime Report 2018.
The report, released on Monday at the police headquarters, Naguru indicated that in 2018, over 238,746 crime cases were registered compared to 252,065 recorded in 2017.
Of the 73,035 cases taken to court, 22,263 secured conviction while 1,248 cases were acquitted as 90,763 cases were still under inquiry by the end of 2018.
A total of 88,022 suspects were charged in court including 81,438 males and 6,584 females.
About 154,652 of the 239,484 victims of crime were males while atleast 612 people out of 100,000 were victims of crime translating to 0.162 per cent as compared to 667 the previous year.
The Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola confirmed that although crime reduced, cases such as homicide, sex-related crimes, break-ins, robbery, political/media crimes and narcotic cases increased.
“The year also saw unfortunate incidences in which Susan Magara and 15 others including MP Abiriga Ibrahim, ASP Kirumira Muhammad and Dr Gwaluka Ibrahim were killed by an organized 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 MP Abiriga,” Ochola said.
The IGP also urged the public to desist from taking the law into their hands and instead hand over suspects to Police.
“Murder as a result of mob action increased by 5.5 per cent from the year 2017,” Ochola noted.
The Director Fire and Rescue Services, AIGP Joseph Mugisa also said there was a 7.3 per cent decrease in fire emergencies handled by the police.
“A total of 1,018 fire emergencies were handled in 2018 compared to 1,099 in 2017; a decrease that came about due to increased fire safety sensitization and public awareness campaigns throughout last year,” said Mugisa.
Causes of fire incidents were mainly attributed to negligence (186), charcoal stoves/candle wax with (169) electrical short circuit (92), electrical appliances left unattended to (84).
At the same press conference, the director of Traffic and Road Safety, AIGP Steven Kasiima said road accidents reduced by 3.0 per cent as compared to 2017.
“During the period under review (2018), there was a 3.0 per cent reduction in the number of crashes reported in 2018 from 13,244 in 2017 to 12,805 in 2018,” said Kasiima.
Crime comparison between 2018 and 2017
The leading crimes in 2018 were common assault, defilement, domestic violence, threatening violence, obtaining money by false pretense, criminal trespass, malicious damage to property, cattle stealing, theft of cash, burglary, child neglect, and aggravated assault.
About 47.8 per cent of crimes were in rural areas, 47.7 per cent were in urban centres while 4.5 per cent were committed along the highways.
On average 19,896 cases were reported per month compared to 21,005 cases in 2017.
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