{UAH} Sex-related, domestic violence up in Uganda
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Sex-related, domestic violence up in Uganda
By Halima Athumani, Monday, April 07, 2014
KAMPALA – Ugandan police reported on Monday an increase in sex-related and domestic violence crimes during 2013.
"I note that sex-related crimes in particular defilement are not decreasing," Inspector General of Police Major General Kale Kaihura told a special ceremony marking the release of the 2013 annual crime report.
Police registered 9,589 cases of defilement in 2013 compared to 8,076 cases in 2012, with a 15.8 percent increase.
"We must really work at protecting the girl child and I must also add the boy child as well. They are also at risk," said Kaihura.
He called for setting up a center for the prevention of violence against girls and women.
"This center must be set up as soon as possible," said the inspector general.
"We must protect the sanctity of the family, which is being threatened by domestic violence," he added.
According to the report, domestic violence increased by 18.4 percent in 2013 with 3,426 cases registered compared to 2,793 in 2012.
Police investigated 315 cases of death resulting from domestic violence during 2013 compared to 154 cases in the previous year, with a 51 percent increase.
Police registered seven cases of homosexuality in 2013, including three cases which were taken to court.
"The homosexual victims still fear to come out and report these cases to police and still fear to testify in court," said Kaihura.
He added that the police continue to sensitize people on the dangers of homosexuality and encourage them to report these cases.
-Terror Threat-
According to the annual crime report, there were eight cases of terrorism investigated in 2013, the same number of the previous year.
"We continue to receive credible intelligence of terror threats and terror cells reported to be operating in Uganda with collaboration with others in the region," said the police prosecutor general.
Grace Akullo, the Director of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department, said they also faced the challenge of transnational crime, which has become a trend in the region and within the country.
"The borderless nature of these crimes means Uganda Police have to adapt to proactive, innovative and global approaches," she said.
The police continue to issue terror alerts and sensitize and encourage the public to be vigilant.
"The lack of harmonized laws among states makes it hard to fight international terrorism," Akullo said.
She also criticized the lack of a data bank on terrorist organizations and their networks.
Inspector General Kaihura said cybercrimes as well as financial crimes are emerging challenges that are threatening the security and stability of Uganda and the region.
"We observe a lot of abuse on social media," he said.
He asked the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department to come up with accepted international best practices to curb the challenge.
"How do we deal with abuses committed on the social media?" Kaihura asked. "They fuel terrorism, civil unrest and other crimes."
Copyright © 2014 Anadolu Agency
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