IGP Ochola launches Annual Crime Report 2021 indicating 0.1% increase

The Inspector-General of Police JM Okoth Ochola has Wednesday launched the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report for the year 2021.

The Annual Crime Report help the institution account to the population on how the Force is fulfilling its mandate as stipulated under Article 212 of the Constitution of Uganda.

According to the report, in the year 2021, there was a 0.1% increase in the volume of crimes reported to the Police from 195,931 cases reported in the year 2020 to 196,081 cases in 2021.

The IGP says the crime trends were greatly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the subsequent opening of all sectors of the economy.

Moving forward, Ochola says they will now focus on engaging communities through our community policing programs aimed at building a stronger trust between the police and the population and enhancing officer training to improve the use of modern technologies, among others.

Since crime management is not a single spine function for the Criminal Investigations Directorate, Ochola noted that all Police Directorates are required to play their respective roles in crime management and reduction.

He added that for quick and effective monitoring of crime trends, the Police Management also plans to release quarterly crime reports to the public.

He noted that challenges of staff welfare, motivation and satisfaction are relevant in policing, adding that the management is focusing on improving the welfare of all its personnel especially addressing the pertinent question of accommodation to achieve good staff performance and satisfaction.