Written By | Joshua Nahamya
According to the report released this week, a total of 10,492 defilement cases were reported to police in 2025, down from 12,312 cases in 2024 — representing a 14.8% decrease
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Kampala
The Uganda Police Force has recorded a notable decline in defilement cases, but disturbing details from the 2025 Annual Crime Report reveal that many children continue to be abused by people they know and trust, including individuals living with HIV, teachers, and guardians.
According to the report released this week, a total of 10,492 defilement cases were reported to police in 2025, down from 12,312 cases in 2024 — representing a 14.8% decrease.
Of the 2025 cases, 7,019 were classified as simple defilement, while 3,473 were aggravated defilement.
Shocking Cases Involving Trusted Individuals
The report highlights the vulnerability of children even in familiar environments:
These figures underscore concerns that schools and homes — places meant to protect children — remain high-risk environments for sexual violence.
Court Progress and Challenges
Out of the 10,492 reported cases:
A total of 4,999 suspects were arrested and charged. Of these:
Additionally, 1,932 cases were not proceeded with, while 3,674 cases are still under police inquiry.
The overall crime rate in Uganda dropped by 10.2% in 2025, with 196,405 cases reported compared to 218,715 in 2024. Police attributed the improvement to better intelligence-led operations, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and the ongoing rollout of the sub-county policing model.
Calls for Stronger Action
Child protection advocates and some Members of Parliament have expressed concern that, despite the drop in reported cases, the high number of offences by teachers, guardians, and HIV-positive individuals points to deep-rooted challenges in safeguarding children.
Police have repeatedly urged parents, school administrators, and communities to remain vigilant and report suspected cases promptly. They also emphasised the importance of timely medical examination and preservation of evidence to improve conviction rates.
The 2025 Annual Crime Report was officially launched by the Inspector General of Police at Police Headquarters in Naguru.
While the decline in defilement cases is welcome, stakeholders say sustained efforts — including stricter enforcement in schools and communities — are still needed to protect Uganda’s children from sexual violence.
Torch Media Africa
