WEST NILE CRIME DROPS BY 10.2% AS LAND CONFLICTS AND GBV CASES CONTINUE TO SURGE

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By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

The Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report reveals a steady decline in registered crime cases in the West Nile region, dropping from 21,871 cases in 2024 to 19,604 in 2025, marking   a reduction of 2,267 cases representing 10.2%.

Despite the overall decrease in criminal activity, serious crimes such as homicides and mob action remain driven by persistent issues like land disputes, domestic violence, family misunderstandings, and crimes of passion.

Of the total cases reported in the region, 11,530 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, 79,291 were taken to court, and 24,899 resulted in convictions.

SP Joseph Bongo, Division Police Commander of Arua Central, released the report on behalf of the regional police commander. He emphasized that land conflicts and domestic and gender-based violence are the primary causes of violent offenses.

“Gender Based Violence related offences still remains a big concern in the region contributing factors is family property ownership, property inheritance and alcoholism and drug abuse resulting into economic vulnerability and social pressure” he said.

The West Nile policing area includes nine districts of Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo, Madi Okollo, Terego, Maracha, Koboko, Arua City with three divisions, and Arua District.

Bongo also pointed out that the region, despite having one of the lowest premeditated homicide rates, ranks high nationally for murders by mob action. These violent incidents often arise from local disputes and community retaliation linked to suspected thefts.

“Land related conflicts are significant causes of conflict and criminality in the region resulting into criminal trespass, assault, malicious damage, forgery of land ownership documents, fraud, threats, intimidations, unlawful evictions and my appeal to our people is that land disputes should not be used as a cover for criminal conducts” he added.

On a national scale, the Uganda Police Force reported a 10.2% reduction in overall crime in 2025, with total cases falling from 218,715 in 2024 to 196,405 in 2025.

The national crime rate stood at 427.8 crimes per 100,000 people. A total of 115,301 cases were submitted for prosecution, resulting in 31,732 convictions and sentences.

Financially, Ugandans suffered an estimated loss of Shs 2.5 trillion in property value due to crime in 2025, up from Shs 1.4 trillion the previous year. However, the police managed to recover about Shs 57 billion, represent just 2.3% of the losses.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis