Defilement cases fall by 3.4%—Police

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The number of defilement cases reported in Uganda in 2024 dropped by 3.4%, the latest Police crime report shows.

The 2024 annual crime report indicates that a total of 12,312 cases of defilement were reported to the Police that year, compared to 12,771 cases reported in 2023 countrywide.

It also says a total of 12,317 victims were defiled in 2024, of whom 12,009 were female juveniles and 308 were male juveniles.

“A total of 283 children were defiled by suspects who are HIV positive, followed by 87 children defiled by biological parents and 171 children defiled by their guardians, among others,” it says.

Buyende district registered the highest number of defilement cases last year (210 cases), followed by Sironko district with 141, Mayuge with 131, and Kibuku with 122.

“The category of 15–17 years are mainly victims of defilement due to adolescent age, where many young girls are taken advantage of, and some are defiled in the process of doing domestic chores like collecting water and firewood, especially in rural areas when they are sent alone,” the report says.

Aggravated defilement

Of the total cases reported in 2024, 4,072 were aggravated defilement by nature.

A total of 6,584 defilement cases were taken to court, 2,744 were not proceeded with, while 5,097 were still under inquiry by the time of compiling the report.

Out of the cases taken to court, 749 secured convictions, 63 were acquitted, 454 were dismissed, and 5,318 were still pending in court.

“A total of 5,515 suspects of defilement were arrested and charged in court, out of whom 173 were convicted, 14 discharged, 1 acquitted, while 5,306 were still awaiting trial,” the report said.

A total of 1,667 cases of rape were reported to Police in 2024, compared to 1,577 cases reported in 2023, giving an increase of 5.7%.

Mbarara Police Station registered the highest number of rape cases in 2024 (46 cases), followed by Katwe with 34 cases, Kira Road with 32 cases, Mukono with 30 cases, and Tororo and Kawempe with 29 cases each.