KAMPALA – Police have raised concern over emerging crime patterns across Uganda, with land disputes, domestic conflicts, alcohol abuse and community violence contributing to a rise in serious offences despite an overall decline in national crime levels.
In Kamira Town Council, Luwero District, detectives are investigating the malicious destruction of nearly half an acre of eucalyptus trees allegedly linked to an ongoing land dispute.
Police say no arrests have been made so far, but investigators are pursuing several leads as they seek to identify those responsible for the destruction.
Security officials have warned that land-related conflicts are increasingly becoming a major driver of criminal offences, including malicious damage to property, assault and attempted murder.
The situation has been particularly worrying in the North Kyoga Police Region, where six murders were recorded within a single week across Kwania, Apac, Oyam and Lira districts.
North Kyoga Police spokesperson Patrick Okema said most of the killings were linked to domestic disputes, alcohol abuse and minor disagreements that escalated into fatal violence.
Among the victims was Asantorina Akello, 74, who was allegedly killed while attempting to stop her son from assaulting his nine-year-old child.
In another incident, Denis Kali lost his life following a disagreement over Shs500 worth of waragi.
Police in Apac are also investigating the killing of a suspected goat thief who was reportedly lynched by an angry mob, while another man in Oyam died after allegedly being hit with a brick during an argument.
In Lira District, detectives are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered by the roadside after he reportedly left a drinking place.
Despite the increase in some crime hotspots, Police maintain that Uganda’s overall crime situation continues to improve.
The Annual Crime Report 2025 indicates that reported crime cases reduced from 218,715 in 2024 to 196,405 in 2025, representing a 10.2 per cent decline.
The national crime rate also dropped from 476 victims per 100,000 people to 427 victims per 100,000 people during the same period.
However, the report identified Kampala Metropolitan South (Makindye Division) as the region with the highest number of reported cases at 13,950, followed by Rwizi, Kampala Metropolitan North, North Kyoga and Kampala Metropolitan East.
Security experts say that while crime is reducing nationally, criminal activities are becoming increasingly concentrated in fast-growing urban centres and selected rural areas affected by challenges such as land conflicts, unemployment, population growth and commercial expansion.
Sylvia Buteme, a retail trader in Nakawa Division, blamed weak monitoring systems and inadequate tenant screening for creating opportunities for criminals.
Buteme, who previously lost her bag in a theft incident near Kinawataka while returning from her shop in Kitintale, said some landlords do not properly verify tenants before allowing them to occupy rental premises.
She called for stricter enforcement of tenant registration guidelines and increased cooperation between landlords, local leaders and security agencies.
Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba attributed the reduction in crime to improved policing strategies, including the sub-county policing model, digitisation of Police operations, enhanced investigations and stronger cooperation between security agencies, the Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, Police say continued public cooperation remains critical in addressing emerging threats and preventing minor disputes from escalating into serious crimes.
