UPC commends police’s annual crime report 2023, calls for more investment in intelligence & community policing.

Muzeyi Faizo - head of communications 

The leadership of Uganda people’s Congress (UPC) an opposition political party, has called on the Uganda police force not to relax amidst the recent crime rate figures that decreased by 1.5% in the recent annual crime report of 2023. 

While speaking at their party headquarters in Kampala yesterday, Muzeyi Faizo who is the head of media and communications said said the achievements are good however, most of the citizens hesitate to report cases to the authorities due to poor relationship between the police and some members of the communities.

“let’s not jubilate over the registered slight decrease in crime cases, but instead beef up our security systems such as investing highly in intelligence, community policing and restoring the public trust for credible information since criminals come from our societies.” He said

Following complaints raised by the general public regarding the hygiene in most of the police detention centres which is alarming, Faizo urged the police force to avoid over crowding the facilities in a bid to control some of the diseases.

“We need to step upto 100% facility of water borne toilets as well as improving the welfare of the inmates.” Faizo said 

He also applauded the force for their efforts in reducing the rate of domestic violence in the country, where the cases dropped from 17,698 in 2022 to 14,681 in 2023.

“UPC observes that a family unit is key to the growth and development of any given society, which calls for concerted efforts involving all stakeholders to educate and sensitize our people about issues that bring family disputes and their consequences in their respective communities.” Faizo stated

He further encouraged the force to do extra specialised training of their officers to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and professionalism at their work places.

UPC also urged the government to enhance the salary and improve the accommodation facilities for all officers across the country which they say are in a very terrible shape.

“they need better accommodation and pay as well as reduced workloads as per United Nations police officer to population ratio recommendation of 1- 450, which we are yet to achieve.” Said Faizo