Police Plan CCTV Expansion to Islands

The Uganda Police Force is awaiting funding to roll out the third phase of the national CCTV camera expansion, targeting islands, lake ports and other remote areas identified as crime hotspots.

The planned expansion is part of efforts to extend crime prevention and detection beyond Kampala and major urban centres, with police also strengthening its presence at sub-county level to tackle offences such as livestock and crop theft.

Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke said Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba had directed police to reinforce security operations in rural areas by deploying more personnel and providing them with the necessary equipment.

“The theft of animals and crops is something we have taken seriously. That is why we have decided to remodel our policing and take it further to the sub-county. We want to ensure police is not just urban police or Kampala police. We want to reinforce the already existing sub-county police with manpower and equip them very well,” Kituuma said. 

He said police had procured motorcycles for almost all sub-county police stations and deployed newly trained Police Constables from Kabalye and other training schools to strengthen operations in the areas. 

The measures come amid concern over homicides and livestock theft, particularly in central and western Uganda. 

Recent killings in Kiboga and Mubende, which left several people dead, prompted Byakagaba to deploy to the affected policing areas to develop strategies for responding to the security challenges. 

On the CCTV project, Kituuma said the third phase would extend surveillance to areas not covered by the existing network, including water bodies, once the required funding is released.

“We are going to enter the third phase of the CCTV camera infrastructure expansion to a number of areas currently not being reached by the network, including on the water bodies, as part of the anti-crime infrastructure measures. Currently, we still wait for the release of the required funds and once they are released, we shall immediately inform the country on which identified areas to start with,” Kituuma said. 

Police have urged community leaders to work with officers to identify crime hotspots that may require CCTV coverage.

Police said the first two phases of the CCTV project, launched in 2018, were operating at between 85 and 95 percent functionality, with some districts achieving full functionality. 

The existing system covers the 19 policing divisions under Kampala Metropolitan Police, as well as municipalities across the country, including Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kisoro, Arua, Gulu, Iganga, Jinja, Rukungiri, Bushenyi, Kasese, Fort Portal, Mubende, Mityana, Hoima, Masindi, Kitgum, Lira, Soroti, Moroto, Mbale, Kapchorwa, Tororo and Kamuli. 

The third phase is expected to extend surveillance to areas that remain outside the network, although police have not yet announced the locations to be prioritised or a rollout date.