An annual crime report released last year indicated that at least crime had gone up by 3.3 per cent and attributed to the low sensitization and human behaviors.
Two more reports released by Minister of Security and the President, the presidential report, indicate that Wakiso district had the highest crime levels. Rampant women Murders, Common Assaults, Domestic Violence, Defilements, Threatening Violence, Obtaining Money by False Pretense, Child Neglect, Criminal tresspass, Malicious Damage to Property, Thefts of Cash, Cattle Stealing, Burglaries, Theft of Mobile Phones and Aggravated Assaults are among the leading crimes in the period under review, stated the report.
Residents of Wakiso blame the previous police regime under Inspector General of police, Kale Kayihura claiming that police was negligent then.
Martin Sempijja, a resident of Nansana says “Some officers were collaborating with criminals and whenever we reported theft cases, there was nothing done apart from promises. My neighbor’s shop was broken into and police released the criminals without any just procedure.” He added that while trying to follow up the case he received threats from unknown numbers and had to ignore the case for the sake of his safety.
“Up to now we wonder why there were no arrest reports by police as far as murder and rape cases are concerned. Several women and girls were reported killed and others raped but police never came out to search for these criminals “says Norah Nakiwalla, a resident in Wakiso. She attributes these crime levels to the negligence of police and law makers.
Previous reports indicate that 77,675 suspects were charged to court of whom 71,680 were males and 5,995 were females. 253,316 persons were victims of crime of whom 164,177 were males and 89,139 were females. In that period at least 252,065 cases were registered thereby reflecting an increase in the volume of crime by 3.3%. By the end of 2017, 66,626 cases were taken to court, out of which 18,961 cases secured convictions, 1,419 cases acquitted and 9,613 cases dismissed while 36,633 cases were still pending in court,” reads the report in part.
For instance, the reports also indicated that in the crime levels last escalated compared to the previous years of 2017 and 2016. Out of every 100,000 people, 667 were victims of crime. This compared to 666 in 2016 showing an increase in crime rate. On average 21,005 crimes were reported per month in 2017, compared to 20,332 crimes in 2016.
Arthur Baluruno the Lc1 Chairman of Bondwe village, Nsangi Wakiso District says that many youth are idle and unemployed and thus move around burgling where by most a males who move at any time of the night. “These youth do not want to work and think stealing is the easiest way to survive poverty. I find it quite challenging because they have refused to find jobs. They will do anything for money”, explains, Mr Baluruno.
Mr Emilian Kayima, the police spokesperson said there cases are being investigated and there will soon be sanity in the country despite their repeated promises on the same.
“We have not failed to investigate on these cases. The investigative process is quite long and the resources we use are very high but we do not even have them. We shall continue doing our best as we take these matters ahead. At least they are before court,” Mr Kayima said.