Outgoing Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Elly Maate has raised concern over the rising number of murder cases in the Kigezi sub-region, warning that domestic violence remains one of the leading contributing factors.
Speaking during his handover ceremony at Kabale Central Police Station, Maate said a significant proportion of homicide cases in the region originate from domestic disputes, including conflicts over land ownership, substance abuse, and family misunderstandings.
“Many of the murder cases recorded in Kigezi stem from domestic disputes. Conflicts related to land ownership, drug and substance abuse, family misunderstandings, and other domestic issues have significantly contributed to the rise in violent crimes,” Maate said.
Maate, who has been transferred to the Rwenzori East Police Region, noted that despite ongoing police sensitisation efforts, some members of the public continue to engage in behaviours that escalate into violence and loss of life.
He called for stronger collaboration between police officers, local leaders, and other stakeholders to intensify community awareness on peaceful conflict resolution.
“Crime can only be reduced when communities actively choose to abandon violent behavior and work closely with security agencies,” Maate stated.
He also thanked residents of Kigezi for their cooperation during his tenure and expressed confidence that police-community relations would continue to improve in the fight against crime.
Taking over as the new Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, Nelson Tumushime pledged to strengthen community policing initiatives across the region.
“Strengthening policing structures at the sub-county level will improve coordination between police and communities, enabling security personnel to respond more effectively to crime,” Tumushime said.
He added that enhanced community policing would help reduce murder cases through improved public participation and timely reporting of incidents.