We want to see 75% drop in all crime — CID boss Magambo

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The Director of Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Tom Magambo, has said they want to see a 75 percent reduction in all crime across Uganda.

He said in a TV interview aired on Monday (April 6) that they were "not satisfied" with the latest statistics, which show a 10.2 percent fall in overall recorded crime.

“We want to see the crime rate drop to about 50,000 nationwide or even lower. We are not satisfied with the [current] numbers, but that doesn’t make us lose sight of the bigger picture of what actually is."

In 2025, a total of 196,405 cases were reported to the Police compared to 218,715 in 2024, which represents a 10.2 percent reduction.

Magambo, who has so far spent four years at the helm of the CID, pushed back on the claim that the Police statistics look better because fewer cases are recorded.

“Globally, you cannot compile an annual crime report based on perceptions of people. You must work with the figures that are in the system. It is very hard for me, for instance, to say, ‘Look, I think about 37,000 people had some grievances, but they never reported, but I am sure they had cases.’ I am sure I would look out of order.”

He, however, acknowledged that there are victims of crime who don’t report to the Police.

“It is true there are people who don’t report, and for very many reasons. One, it could be what you are saying that somebody feels if I report to the Police, I will not get justice, and my message to them [is]: I think it is better for them to report so that they test the system,” said the CID chief.

He revealed that about 39,816 reported cases were not proceeded with by the CID.

“People reported them, but for a number of reasons ranging from maybe being civil in nature or maybe there was an alternative dispute resolution."

He said they don’t work so much on appeasing people but basically on their mission, which is to secure life and property in partnership with the public.

“Even when there is good progress, I will always look out and ask, ‘What are those critical voices saying?’ Because they help us to get better.” 

'Humans most important asset'

According to Magambo, the best way to build a more decent society is based on the value system that children hold.

“This is how we can ground our society and reduce the many crimes committed."

He also noted that as Police, they need to work on the infrastructure of their stations countrywide.

“Sometimes, I move around and make stopovers and realise that a lot of work still needs to be done. There is already some good progress. Professionally, we have had about 89,000 convictions in the four years I have been here.

“Secondly, I have tried to maintain the idea that human resources are the most important asset of an organisation.”

Out of the reported cases in 2025, 115,301 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, from which 79,291 were taken to court.

A total of 24,899 cases secured convictions, with 31,732 persons convicted and sentenced.

The Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, attributed the 10.2 percent drop to several factors, including a clear chain of command and control, which has improved decision-making.

“I am confident that under my stewardship, UPF (Uganda Police Force) shall continue to improve command capabilities through training and mentorship at all levels,” he said at the launch of the 2025 annual crime report last week on Monday (March 30).

He also attributed the fall to the existence of a strong inter-agency mechanism under the leadership of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, saying it has enhanced effective twinning of their capabilities.

The other factors include the implementation of the sub-county policing model, which Byakagaba said is giving the Police mileage over crime.

“This has enabled UPF to bring policing services closer to the communities. We have so far covered 56 percent of the sub-counties, and efforts are being made to cover all sub-counties, including providing them with relevant resources.”