The latest Uganda Police Force crime report has exposed significant staffing gaps across key departments, revealing an overstretched force grappling with growing public demand.

Within the Fire and Rescue Services, the report shows that each firefighter is responsible for approximately 75,000 people--far exceeding the recommended ratio of 1:2,000. This places the workload at nearly 37 times above the ideal standard. Despite this strain, the department responded to 96.9 percent of reported fire incidents.

In total, the unit handled 1,000 fire outbreaks and 310 rescue operations, with 12 cases registered as false alarms--highlighting both the high demand for services and the pressure on limited personnel.

The report also points to a critical workload imbalance among detectives. Each officer is managing an average caseload ratio of 1:54, compared to the United Nations recommended ratio of 1:12. This means detectives are handling more than four times the expected workload, a factor likely contributing to persistent case backlogs.

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Despite these constraints, the police submitted 115,301 cases to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, with over 30,000 resulting in convictions.

The report further indicates that 427 out of every 100,000 Ugandans were victims of crime, reflecting ongoing public safety concerns.

Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba noted that the force continues to implement the sub-county policing model aimed at bringing services closer to communities. However, he acknowledged that many sub-counties remain uncovered as the rollout is still in progress.

He emphasized the need for increased investment in recruitment, training, and capacity building to bridge staffing gaps and improve service delivery.

Overall, the findings paint a picture of a police force operating under significant strain, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen human resource capacity to sustain performance and enhance public safety.