CCTV-caught crimes exaggerated by media - Minister Jim Muhwezi

Security Minister dismisses concerns about spike in crime rates in Kampala and urban areas
Minister states that crimes caught on CCTV cameras and shared online are not recent, but from previous years
Clips of people being mugged in Kampala and surrounding areas have been widely shared and debated online

The Minister says crimes caught on CCTV cameras and spread online should not be a cause for concern because most of them are not recent.

“We have a problem where people collect these (clips) and send them on social media in one day. It gives the impression that there is an escalation of insecurity,” he said.

“But most of these clips are from last year and the year before and all the culprits were arrested. We are not saying that there are no crimes being committed, but they are not as rampant as the media depicts them.”

Clips of people being mugged in the streets of Kampala and surrounding areas have lately sparked public concern online.

In these clips, criminals attack their targets, taking them out with taekwondo-style flying kicks before making off with their belongings.

At least two diplomats have been victims in these attacks according to police.

Minister Muhwezi however, emphasised yesterday that security forces are on top of this crime, with more operations being planned in the near future.

“The good news is that all of the people you have seen in those clips were arrested. Now the steps we are taking are to ensure that we get them before they hurt anyone and that is what we are going to do soon,” he said.

The Uganda Police have also issued statements clarifying that CCTV footage being spread online is from the past and that the culprits are either in jail or in courts of law.