By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has criticised the Police for what it described as delayed and facilitation-dependent responses to crime scenes, arguing that the practice undermines justice and emboldens criminals.
Speaking on rising insecurity, UPC spokesperson Sharon Oyat Arach said local leaders and residents are often forced to provide fuel and money to enable police officers to respond to incidents.
“You find LC1 officials moving around to secure a police convoy to visit a crime scene. They are asked for fuel and even money to facilitate police dogs,” Arach said. “Ugandans are already paying taxes to fund security. Why should they pay again for police to come to a crime scene?”
Her remarks come days after the Uganda Police Force released its 2025 annual crime report indicating a 10.2% reduction in reported crime across the country.
However, Arach questioned the credibility of such statistics in light of recent violent incidents, including the April 2 attack at Ggaba Day Care Centre in Makindye Division, where a man posing as a parent allegedly stabbed four juveniles to death.
The suspect, Christopher Okello, has since been arrested, charged with four counts of murder, and remanded to Luzira Prison. He is expected to appear before Makindye Grade One Magistrate’s Court this afternoon (April 8).
In a separate incident on April 5, suspected panga-wielding attackers raided Apac Seed Secondary School, injuring seven students. Police in the area said investigations are ongoing to establish the motive and apprehend the assailants.
Arach warned of a shifting pattern of crime targeting schools, which she said should be among the safest environments for children.
“Schools are supposed to be safe spaces, but if institutions, guards and police cannot guarantee security, then who will protect our children?” she asked.
UPC has called for thorough investigations and public accountability in both incidents, noting that previous cases involving school attacks and arson remain unresolved.
“We need comprehensive reports to clarify the motives and ensure perpetrators are brought to book in the public eye,” Arach said.
The party also linked rising crime to unemployment and underemployment, urging government to create more job opportunities and introduce a minimum wage policy to improve livelihoods.
“Many Ugandans are either unemployed, underpaid despite having qualifications. Can they (the government) put a minimum wage to avoid getting a number of Ugandans underpaid, overworked and underpaid? Let Ugandans be paid what they deserve and that can only be done if there is a minimum pay per a particular job, or a particular work done,” she said.
According to Arach, the absence of minimum wage policy pushes some citizens into crime. She urged the government to address this challenge through meaningful economic reforms.
