Reporting a crime in Uganda: checklist
In brief
Reporting a crime starts the criminal process. This checklist helps you make a clear report, get a reference, and follow it up.
Who it's for & when to use it
Who it's for: Victims and witnesses of crime.
When to use it: When you need to report an offence to the authorities.
When not to use it: For purely civil disputes (debts, contracts) — those go to civil court.
The checklist
1. Make the report
- Report to the nearest police station; the police have a duty to keep order and to prevent and detect crime (Police Act s.25).
- Give a clear statement of what happened, with dates, places, persons and witnesses.
2. Preserve evidence
- Preserve physical and documentary evidence; do not alter the scene where it matters.
- Seek medical or other documentation where relevant, and keep it.
3. Get a reference
- Obtain the case/SD reference number and the investigating officer's name and contact.
- Ask what the next steps and timelines are.
4. Follow up
- Follow up the investigation and provide any further statements or evidence requested.
5. Escalate if stalled
- If the matter stalls, a complainant may also lay a complaint before a magistrate, who may issue process (Magistrates Courts Act s.42).
Key authorities
- Police Act, Cap. 324 (2023 Revision) — ss.25, 39.
- Magistrates Courts Act, Cap. 19 (2023 Revision) — ss.42, 43.
Checklist · Criminal procedure.
Actively maintained.
Last reviewed 9 June 2026; next review due 9 June 2027.
This resource is a practitioner orientation and general information, not legal advice, and does not create an advocate–client relationship. It is AI-generated. Ugandan law changes and chapter and section numbers were revised in the 2023 Laws of Uganda. Verify every statute, rule, form, fee and authority against the current primary source — and the specific facts of your matter — before relying on it.