End of year police report indicates,174 perished in crime-related incidents during christmas &end of year celebrations

174 deaths have been recorded in the nine days of Christmas and New Year festivities, according to security agencies. The deaths were a result of crime-related incidents, and traffic crashes across the country from December 23, 2023, to January 1, 2024.

Out of 174 deaths, crime-related incidents claimed the highest number of lives. At 115 people died due to assaults, mob justice, terrorism, poisoning, suicide, hacking, and stabbing.

Crime-related incidents, according to Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, caused the death of 84 people between December 24 and December 26 while another 31 died between December 30 and January 1.

During Christmas, 38 people were assaulted to death, 13 were killed by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Kamwenge, five were lynched, eight committed suicide, eight drowned, eight were stabbed and eight were killed with blunt objects.

“During the New Year’s Day, we registered 55 reportable incidents which caused the death of 31 people. Six were stabbed, five were hacked, two were killed with blunt objects, and two were poisoned,” Enanga said.

Enanga said the incidents of hacking rotated on meat, disagreements at drinking joints, and some people were killed on suspicion of being thieves. Police said the public is increasingly carrying out acts of mob justice.

Meanwhile, 101 suspects have been arrested for both Christmas and New Year’s Day recorded deaths. Since the majority died as a result of assault, even the biggest number of suspects are friends and relatives of the deceased.

Road crashes, according to Michael Kananura, the Traffic Police Spokesperson claimed the lives of 33 people between December 23 and 26. Other 26 people died between December 31 and January 01. This brings the total number of people killed in road crashes during the nine days to 59.

Kananura said this year road fatalities have been less during the festive season because of road safety sensitization programs by police in partnership with civil society organizations.