Kampala, February 27, 2025 – Uganda’s latest crime report presents a paradox: while overall crime fell by 4.1 percent in 2024, law enforcement agencies warn that criminal activities are becoming more sophisticated, well-coordinated, and financially motivated. The report highlights a shift in crime trends, where traditional offenses such as theft—which remains Uganda’s most reported crime—are declining in raw numbers but evolving in complexity.
Theft accounted for 28 percent of all reported crimes in 2024, yet cases dropped from 65,901 in 2023 to 61,529 in 2024, marking a 6.6 percent decline. Despite this progress, theft remains a major challenge in urban centers, where petty crime, organized burglaries, and street-level offenses continue to disrupt public safety. The decline in recorded cases, authorities suggest, does not necessarily indicate reduced criminal activity but rather a transformation in how crimes are committed.
A Shift in Criminal Tactics
Law enforcement officials note that criminals are adapting to increased police surveillance and changing their operational tactics. Instead of relying on opportunistic crimes, offenders are leveraging technology, coordination, and loopholes in urban security systems to execute well-planned attacks. The rise in financially motivated and organized crime is particularly alarming, as criminal networks refine their methods to avoid detection.
One such example is the growing trend of highly coordinated phone-snatching syndicates operating in Kampala. Former Assistant Inspector General of Police Asan Kasingye, in a detailed thread on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, described a well-structured group of criminals who target motorists stuck in traffic on the Northern Bypass, especially near the Busega Y Junction leading to Entebbe Highway.
“I have been self-driving on the Northern Bypass since 2022. I have seen many people lose their phones to freaky & confident thieves during the long jams, especially towards the Entebbe Highway/Busega Y junction. These are my 20-point observations & advice,” Kasingye wrote.
His analysis provides a chilling insight into the meticulous planning behind these crimes. According to his observations, the criminals collaborate with street vendors—particularly those selling mulondo (herbal roots) and nuts—who act as informants, scanning vehicles for valuables and potential targets. Once a target is identified, the vendor discreetly alerts the actual thieves, who operate in plain sight yet with precision.
Kasingye further details how these criminals exploit the urban infrastructure. They are often seen sitting on roadside barriers, posing as pedestrians waiting to cross. However, the moment an opportunity arises, a thief will swiftly snatch a phone or handbag from a distracted driver, before making a well-coordinated escape. The design of the Northern Bypass works in their favor, as a tunnel running underneath the road allows the suspect to cross back to their starting point within seconds, creating the illusion that they have disappeared.
In 2024, the Uganda Police recorded 7,330 cases of mobile phone theft, reflecting a 1.0% decrease from the 7,407 cases reported in 2023. Despite this slight decline, mobile phone theft remains a prevalent crime, particularly in urban areas where criminals take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The majority of these thefts occurred through snatching incidents, often targeting individuals in crowded spaces, public transport, and traffic congestion. Law enforcement agencies continue to grapple with organized phone theft syndicates, which have adapted their methods to evade detection and exploit security gaps.
The Challenge of Enforcement and Public Safety
Despite the declining overall crime rate, law enforcement agencies are facing an increasingly difficult task in addressing these evolving tactics. Kasingye’s report underscores the lack of visible police presence along key crime hotspots, with the only notable patrol station being at the Kisaasi roundabout, far from where most incidents occur.
Moreover, criminals are adapting faster than security measures can be implemented. The use of lookouts, escape tunnels, and traffic congestion as strategic advantages makes apprehending suspects challenging. Many victims, fearing for their safety, opt not to chase the thieves, knowing that oncoming traffic, unfamiliar terrain, and lack of immediate police intervention work against them.
This highlights a major gap in Uganda’s crime response strategy—reactive policing rather than proactive crime prevention. While Uganda has adopted CCTV surveillance in urban areas, criminals are increasingly aware of blind spots and weak enforcement zones, allowing them to continue operating with minimal risk of capture.
What Needs to Be Done?
The 2024 crime report serves as a wake-up call for law enforcement agencies, urban planners, and policymakers. While a reduction in overall crime is encouraging, the increasing complexity of criminal activities suggests that traditional crime-fighting strategies may no longer be sufficient. Addressing organized street crime and financial fraud will require enhanced surveillance, community cooperation, and smarter policing strategies.
A comprehensive response to rising crime along the Northern Bypass requires a multifaceted approach. Increasing police visibility and patrols in known crime hotspots, particularly during peak hours, is crucial to deterring criminals who take advantage of traffic congestion. Investing in high-tech surveillance, including facial recognition and real-time monitoring, can help authorities track criminals who exploit escape tunnels and alternate routes. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educating citizens on how to safeguard their valuables and recognize suspicious behavior in urban settings. Additionally, stricter enforcement of street vending regulations, especially on highways, can help dismantle criminal networks that use vendors as informants to target unsuspecting motorists.
Without these interventions, Uganda risks seeing a continued decline in petty crime statistics while serious, organized crime flourishes in the shadows. The real challenge is not just reducing crime numbers but ensuring that new criminal methods do not outpace the country’s security capabilities.
