Police to Set Up Crime Data Analysis Centre at CID Headquarters in Kibuli

By Spy Uganda

Kampala, Uganda–The Uganda Police Force is set to establish a state-of-the-art Crime Data Analysis Centre at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala, aimed at modernizing crime-fighting efforts through data-driven intelligence.

This comes after President Yoweri Museveni honored his pledge to support the centre’s establishment following a request by CID Director AIGP Tom Magambo, who had earlier informed the President that CID was struggling to access and utilize timely crime data to guide investigations and decision-making.

“We want to request you to support us put up a crime data analysis centre because CID is the one that produces the annual crime report and is supposed to provide all the quick and timely information on crime,” Magambo told the President in September 2024.

Museveni pledged full support: “I totally support the crime data analysis centre. We shall have to build it and the forensics centre. We shall work on both of them.”

The initiative is expected to significantly boost CID’s capacity to collect, process, and interpret crime data, transitioning the force from traditional investigative methods to intelligence-led policing.

AIGP Magambo reiterated this at the ground breaking ceremony high presided over by Internal Affairs Minister, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire yesterday Friday. Magambo emphasized that the centre will enhance the Directorate’s capabilities to monitor crime trends in real time, improve investigations, and inform policy decisions.

However, Magambo raised concerns about the bureaucratic delays caused by “middlemen” in the clearance processes necessary for the project’s commencement. He called on Minister Otafiire to intervene, especially as the project is being funded by development partner Jalia.

Minister Otafiire commended the CID’s reform efforts and pledged continued government support, noting that modern crime-fighting demands technology, innovation, and skill — not just manpower.

The new centre, scheduled to be fully operational in a few months, is part of broader police reforms focused on improving efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.