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Uganda’s falling crime rate tells only half the story. Behind the numbers, a growing backlog, overstretched investigators, and slow court processes reveal a justice system struggling to keep pace with its own progress.

Kampala’s Northern Bypass has become a hotspot for organized phone snatchers, preying on motorists stuck in traffic, particularly near the Busega Y Junction and Entebbe Highway exits. According to former Assistant Inspector General of Police Asan Kasingye, these criminal syndicates collaborate with street vendors, who scan vehicles for valuables and alert thieves. Operating with military-like precision, the thieves snatch phones and quickly escape using tunnels beneath the bypass, making it difficult for victims to pursue them. The lack of visible police patrols and traffic congestion further emboldens these criminals. As theft tactics become more sophisticated and organized, can law enforcement keep up?

The Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2024, released on February 19, 2025, reveals a 4.1% decline in overall crime, with reported cases dropping from 228,074 in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024. However, serious crimes like homicides, robbery, corruption, and terrorism increased, signaling ongoing security concerns. Land-related crimes surged by 46.5%, and economic and corruption cases rose by 1.6%, while theft and assault declined. Road crashes increased by 6.4%, with 5,144 fatalities recorded—a 7% rise from the previous year. Despite improvements in some areas, the report highlights the need for stronger enforcement, crime prevention strategies, and public awareness efforts to address emerging threats.