Recent reports of crime have sparked debates about safety in Uganda, but the police insist the country is secure. At Monday’s briefing in Naguru, spokesperson Kituma Rusoke dismissed claims that crime incidents mean insecurity. “Simply because of incidents of crime, we are not insecure. Uganda’s crime rate per 100,000 people is 472. Compare that to […]
Recent reports of crime have sparked debates about safety in Uganda, but the police insist the country is secure. At Monday’s briefing in Naguru, spokesperson Kituma Rusoke dismissed claims that crime incidents mean insecurity.
“Simply because of incidents of crime, we are not insecure. Uganda’s crime rate per 100,000 people is 472. Compare that to places like the District of Columbia, USA, where it’s over 1,000,” Rusoke told journalists.
He warned against panic and called on the public to cooperate with security agencies. “Controlled crime is possible. Whenever you encounter a threat or incident, report it promptly. We work hand-in-hand with communities to prevent crime before it happens,” he said.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police arrested over 1000 suspects during disruptive operations in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts, targeting robbery, mugging, burglary, and drug‑related crimes.
In overlapping or related operations across the Kampala Metropolitan Area, authorities also arrested hundreds of suspects in a series of night‑time crackdowns on criminal hotspots.
On repeat offenders, Rusoke explained circumstances leading to this, “Recidivism is real. Some people reoffend due to unemployment, drug abuse, or social pressures. We engage them, carry out preventive policing, and send them to correctional services. Rehabilitation is a challenge, but we keep trying.”
The police also dismissed claims linking crime to elections. “Many offenders committed crimes even before elections. Some are repeat offenders and are not necessarily from ghetto groups. You need academic reasoning to draw conclusions, not assumptions,” he said.
Rusoke further stated government programs to reduce crime through employment, social engagement, and financial inclusion. “If everyone were working and productively engaged, crime could reduce further. But even in working environments, there will always be offenses like corruption or workplace feuds,” he added.
