The Uganda Police Force on March 30, 2026 released its Annual Crime Report for 2025 at Police Headquarters Naguru, showing a notable decline in crime across the country.
According to the Police Annual Crime Report for 2025, crime reduced significantly to about 10.2 percent, compared to 14.2 percent recorded in 2024.
The report indicates that 196,405 cases were reported to the police in 2025, down from 218,715 cases in 2024.
Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba announced during the report release at the Police head offices in Naguru, that crime dropped by 10 per cent in 2025, compared to a 4.1 per cent decline recorded in 2024.
He said the sharp drop was a direct result of his good leadership as head of the police forces as well as improved partnerships with other security agencies.
According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report, a total of 191 children were defiled by suspects known to be HIV positive, 94 children were defiled by teachers, and 65 children were defiled by their guardians.
Overall Defilement Trends shows a total of 10,492 defilement cases were reported to Police in 2025, compared to 12,312 cases in 2024, reflecting a 14.8% decrease.
Of the cases reported in 2025, 7,019 were classified as simple defilement, while 3,473 were aggravated.Out of the total reported cases:4,886 cases were taken to Court 713 resulted in convictions, 27 resulted in acquittals, 355 were dismissed, 3,791 remain pending in Court, 1,932 cases were not proceeded with, while 3,674 cases are still under inquiry.
A total of 4,999 suspects were arrested and charged to Court: 740 were convicted, 27 were acquitted, 332 were, discharged, 3,900 are currently undergoing trial.In 2025, a total of 950 cases of murder by mob action were reported to Police, compared to 1,016 cases in 2024, reflecting a decrease of 6.5%.
Victims of mob action were largely individuals suspected of committing offences such as theft, robbery, murder, witchcraft, and burglary, prompting members of the public to take the law into their own hands.
In terms of distribution, North Kyoga recorded the highest number of cases at 73, followed by KMP East with 71, West Nile with 68, Rwizi with 62, Albertine South with 57, and KMP South with 53.
At the district/divisional level, Luweero registered the highest number of cases at 30, followed by Naggalama Division with 22, Mukono Division with 20, Katwe Division with 19, and Kamuli with 17.
According to the ACR2025 Kampala Metropolitan South registered the highest number of mobile phone theft cases at 795, followed by KMP North with 678, KMP East with 478, Rwizi with 324, and Albertine South with 304.
At the district/divisional level, Kabalagala Division recorded the highest number of cases at 191, followed by Old Kampala Division (184), CPS Kampala Division (178), Jinja Road Division (163), Hoima Central Division (150), and Katwe Division (141).
These figures indicate that mobile phone theft remains most prevalent in major urban policing jurisdictions, particularly within the Kampala Metropolitan area.
