The Police 2024 Crime Report revealed that 188 cases of murder by shooting were reported nationwide last year, 33 of which occurred in Karamoja, with Moroto alone accounting for nine--the highest in the country.
Moroto District has recorded the highest number of murders by shooting in Uganda, according to the 2024 crime report released by the Uganda Police.
The report, published on the Uganda Police on February 25, revealed that 188 cases of murder by shooting were reported nationwide last year.
Of these, 33 occurred in Karamoja, with Moroto alone accounting for nine--the highest in the country.
Kotido District ranked second in Uganda for gun-related murders, underscoring Karamoja's long-standing struggle with armed violence.
For decades, cattle raiding has fueled deadly clashes among armed youth, but 2024 saw a significant shift in regional crime patterns.
In previous years--2022 and 2023--the Kidepo region in northern Karamoja, covering Kotido, Kaabong, Karenga, and Abim districts, had higher numbers of gun-related murders.
Meanwhile, the Mt. Moroto region in southern Karamoja--including Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, and Nabilatuk districts--reported fewer cases.
This trend has now reversed. Murders by shooting and cattle raids have declined in northern Karamoja, while southern Karamoja has seen an uptick.
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Despite this shift, the overall trend points to a general decline in gun-related killings and cattle raids across the region.
Authorities attribute this reduction in violence to intensified security operations and a successful disarmament campaign targeting illegal firearms.
Karamoja Region Police spokesperson Mike Longole credited joint security forces for their strategic interventions, including tactical operations, rapid response teams, and intelligence-led patrols.
"The decrease in murder by shooting is a direct result of coordinated security efforts," Longole said.
"Our forces have been quick to respond to cattle raids, which often escalate into deadly gun battles. The disarmament exercise has also played a key role in removing illegal weapons from the wrong hands."
The Ugandan government has carried out a comprehensive disarmament campaign in Karamoja, seizing firearms from armed youth involved in cattle rustling.
The initiative has been widely credited with reducing armed conflicts and restoring peace in several parts of the region.
Despite the decline in gun violence, authorities remain cautious. Local leaders and security officials stress the need for continuous monitoring, community engagement, and economic alternatives for the youth to fully address the root causes of violence.
"We need to continue the fight against illegal gun ownership in the region," Moroto District Chairperson Paul Lotee Komol said.
The 2024 crime report highlights both progress and persistent challenges. While Moroto's ranking as Uganda's deadliest district for gun-related murders underscores ongoing security concerns, the broader decline in gun violence across Karamoja signals that efforts to restore stability are yielding results.
