Crime in Uganda

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Reported criminal activity in Uganda consists mostly of thefts, assaults, domestic violence, and sexual related offenses. [1] In 2021, 51% of all crimes occurred in rural areas. 45% occurred in urban centers, with significant numbers reported in Kampala. The remaining 4% of cases occurred along highways. The US Department of State suggests that prospective travelers reconsider travel to Uganda, with a Level 3 Travel Advisory.

Contents

Since the early 2000s, the country is alleged to have a high incidence of Police misconduct, [2] with notable incidents committed by the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), the Uganda Police Force (UPF) [3] .

Criminal activities

Along with some political leaders, [4] a number of police officers are noted to have given out guns, disconnected the electric tunnels to rob,[ clarification needed ] and to have carried out destructive homicides around various regions including the capital city — together with the criminal gangs. [5] This has arisen after the happenstance of COVID-19 pandemic. [6]

Besides deforestation, various reports have also shown many of them soliciting for bribes from the local people to return property confiscated during a crime e.g. motorcycles. Others ask for money to conceal criminal files, or provide feasible criteria without the official judgements from courts of law. [7]

Even high-ranked officers have been involved in violating human rights and appropriating public property for their personal benefit. [8] As some of their fellows speak out to expose terrible acts such as the death of Muhammad Kirumira; suspicion arises that they are assassinated on the orders of the very top officers. [9]

Fighting crime

When criminal cases began to sharply increase in 2018, the Ugandan government introduced lower-level officers called Crime Preventers, under the Local Defence Unit (LDU), to help. [10] However, allegations emerged that many of them were also involved in crime. [11]

In May 2022 the government said in a press conference, that there will be electronic tracking, linking all crimes to the databases of doers, with the help of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). [12] This was not yet implemented as of January, 2023.

Traffic police

Road accidents are occasionally caused by traffic police officers, who tend to leave people without driving permits or licences to stay doing the work unprofessionally after giving them bribes. [13] They sometimes set up roadblocks, usually at night, for money. [14]

Causes

While scamming foreign nationals is common, especially those with expensive things, [15] some think that all this, is at times caused by low officer pay, as many of them are paid around Ush. 375,000 ($100) as a monthly, with no allowances. [16] They complained to concerned officials in mid-2022, although no solution has yet been announced.[ clarification needed ][ citation needed ]

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.upf.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ACR2021.pdf?x89335
  2. ↑ "Uganda". International Criminal Court. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  3. ↑ Kamusiime, Wilfred (2 August 2021). "9 POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED IN FOUR SEPARATE MISCONDUCT HEARINGS". Uganda Police Force. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Two police officers arrested over theft of Shs75m". 93.3 KFM. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  5. ↑ URN. "Soldiers, policemen behind violent robberies in Kampala, investigations reveal". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "IGPS remarks at the launch of the 2021 annual crime report".
  7. ↑ "UPDF, Police Officers Arrested Over Armed Robbery, 2 Guns Recovered – Exposed Uganda" . Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  8. ↑ Independent, The (13 September 2019). "US government puts sanctions on Kale Kayihura". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  9. ↑ "The fearless Ugandan policeman who foresaw his death". The Standard. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  10. ↑ J, lukwago (22 September 2018). "LDU Recruitment to kick Start In Uganda, To Fight Urban Crime!". Newslex Point. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "Police arrest six LDU guards for robbery".
  12. ↑ "Crime report shows overall rise in most crimes from 2020". NTV Uganda. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  13. ↑ "traffic officers arrested over bribes". Monitor. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  14. ↑ Kamusiime, Wilfred (7 November 2014). "LIST OF TRAFFIC OFFICERS SUSPECTED". Uganda Police Force. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  15. ↑ "Terrorism – Uganda travel advice". GOV.UK. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  16. ↑ "Police petitions MPs over low pay". New Vision. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
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