KAMPALA — The Director of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Tom Magambo, has called for a stronger societal value system and institutional reforms as key measures to combat crime in Uganda.
Speaking during an interview on NBS Live at 9, Magambo emphasized that long-term crime prevention must begin with shaping the mindset of younger generations.
“The best way to build a more decent society is based on the value system that children hold. This is how we can ground our society and reduce the many crimes committed,” he said.
Magambo noted that crime is evolving rapidly, requiring law enforcement agencies to continuously adapt their capabilities.
“It is a requirement to build capacity and match the ever-evolving trends in criminals,” he said.
He also highlighted concerns about increasing land-related crimes, urging policymakers to strengthen institutional safeguards.
“Our policymakers and systems will need to deliberately establish a relevant institutional framework to guard against the growing criminality in land systems,” he said.
On the performance of the police force, Magambo revealed that CID has secured significant convictions in recent years.
“In the last four years I have been Director CID, we have achieved about 89,000 convictions,” he said, adding that human resources remain central to the force’s effectiveness.
“Professionally, we have had about 89,000 convictions in the four years I have been here. I have tried to maintain the idea that human resources are the most important asset of an organization,” he added.
Despite the progress, Magambo acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly in infrastructure and working conditions.
“Clearly, we need to work on the infrastructure of our police stations countrywide. Sometimes, I move around and make stopovers and realize that a lot of work still needs to be done,” he said.
He added that while some improvements have been made, more investment is needed to create a conducive working environment for officers.
Magambo also set an ambitious target for crime reduction, noting that current levels remain higher than desired.
“I want to see the crime rate drop to about 50,000 nationwide or even lower. We are not satisfied with the numbers, but that doesn’t make us lose sight of the bigger picture,” he said.
In a stern warning to offenders, he underscored the police’s commitment to enforcing the law.
“If you really want to test our capacity, be on the wrong side of the law and give us a chance to see if we can catch you,” he said.
His remarks come amid broader discussions on policing reforms and crime trends in Uganda, with increasing attention on land disputes, urban crime, and the need for modernisation within the force.
