AI app to aid Ugandan police fight crime, address security concerns

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Police have developed an app expected to help Ugandans address any security concerns, especially during this electoral period.

The artificial intelligence chatbot will enable Ugandans to conveniently report crimes, access information on Police services, and receive emergency assistance 24/7.

According to the Police, the chatbot also facilitates data-driven decision-making, promotes transparency, and helps reduce crime rates.

To solve and fight crimes in different communities, Senior Superintendent of Police Alex Mwine, under the department of planning and quality control, says, “When we integrate this idea in our policing, it will not only help us in fighting crime, but also help us in getting timely feedback and responding in time in case of an emergency.”

Dr Aisha Kayongo interacts with Alex Mwine, Senior Superintendent of Police under the department of planning and quality control during the stakeholder’s consultative workshop at the Police headquarters in Naguru. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)

Since the public has challenges when it comes to criminality and accessing services, Mwine said, the app will not only improve service delivery, but will also help the Police improve their relationship with the way they relate with the public.

As Uganda prepares for the 2026 General Election, Mwine encouraged the public to work with the Police through partnership and information sharing.

“We have been hearing negative reports about Police departments, but not everyone in the Police mishandles people. Where you need us to improve, always give us feedback to serve you better,” Mwine said.

He made the remarks during the stakeholders’ consultative workshop about the design, content development and training awareness on the use of the Police chatbot held at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala city, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

The meeting that attracted officials from UPF, media and religious denominations focused on improving Police and citizen interaction for more efficient and effective policing.

The chatbot offers several services, including enhanced community policing, improved public trust and increased efficiency.

According to acting senior superintendent of Police George Mafuko, under the department of research, planning and innovation, this innovation, which is the Digital Police Assistant (AI chatbot), is basically going to be an assistant, first-line service.

Plan for integration

Mafuko said the app is going to be integrated initially at public websites such as the Police website. Through engagements and approvals from different stakeholders, the Police will also integrate it into other institutional websites, such as the Uganda Revenue Authority, among others, so that people can access this information, even when they cannot access the police website.

“The chatbot is a management tool that can guide the user to get information on how to manage different events. It has been designed for general guidance for all crimes, whether they are electoral or not. When you interact with it, depending on the case, it will guide you on which police station to go to, among others," Mafuko stated.

A peaceful election

The press and information publications officer at Naguru, Dr Aisha Kayongo, said the chatbot is timely.

Kayongo revealed that, “We shall use this tool to see how best we can have peaceful elections as well as maintain peace for Uganda. We have defined a set of questions that we feed into the system, which any candidate can use to get a contact or know what the Police will be doing during the electoral period.”

The chatbot, according to Kayongo, will be integrated with the existing website to ensure seamless data exchange and efficient resolution of citizens' inquiries. By leveraging AI, the chatbot will learn from citizens' interactions, improve its response accuracy and effectiveness over time.

“This innovation will increase accessibility, reduce response times, and promote transparency in police citizen interactions. It will contribute to a safer, more secure and informed society in Uganda,” explained Kayongo.

Stakeholders speak out

To enable several people to use the app, Pastor Solomon Male has advised police to incorporate it into different languages such as Luganda, Kiswahili and Runyakole.

According to Male, the way the app is designed has different channels where a person can report a case if it is not handled well.

Since the app handles how to preserve forensic evidence, Male stated that if it is activated and people understand how to use it, it will reduce the pursuit of justice.  Besides that, it will also bridge the gap between the public and police and also enhance crime investigation.

During election coverage, Vivian Agaba, Rotary Peace fellow, Makerere University, requested the Police to provide journalists with a conducive working environment so that they can perform their duties without fear of being attacked by security agencies.

“Let us all work together to strengthen police and media relations for the safety of journalists and all Ugandans for peaceful, free and fair elections in 2026. Violent free elections are possible.” Agaba said.