How to report a crime and follow up a case in Uganda
In brief
There are two routes. The usual one is to report to the police, who investigate and, where there is a case, charge the suspect and present it to court (the Police Act, Cap. 324 frames police powers, including producing an arrested suspect in court within forty-eight hours, s.25). The second route is to lay a complaint directly before a magistrate: a person with reasonable and probable cause may complain to a magistrate, who consults the local chief and, if a prima facie offence is disclosed and the complaint is not frivolous, draws up a charge (Magistrates Courts Act, Cap. 19, s.42).
1. Governing law
Reporting a crime ordinarily starts with the police, whose powers and duties — including arrest, investigation and producing an arrested suspect before a magistrate's court within forty-eight hours unless released on bond — are set out in the Police Act, Cap. 324 (s.25). The criminal law can also be set in motion directly through a magistrate: under s.42 of the Magistrates Courts Act, Cap. 19, proceedings may be instituted by a public prosecutor or police officer laying a charge, or by any other person making a complaint; a person with reasonable and probable cause to believe an offence has been committed may complain — orally or in writing, signed — to a magistrate with jurisdiction or in whose area the accused resides (s.42(3)). The magistrate consults the local chief and records the gist (s.42(4)) and, after satisfying himself or herself that a prima facie offence is disclosed and the complaint is not frivolous or vexatious, draws up and signs a formal charge (s.42(5)). The Director of Public Prosecutions may take over or discontinue any prosecution so begun (s.43). Reporting is free — no fee or duty is charged on police bonds or recognisances taken by the police (Police Act, s.39). Statutory text verified against the consolidated Laws of Uganda as at 31 December 2023. Sourced from the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ulii.org).
2. Key statutes & rules
- Police Act, Cap. 324 — s.25 (police production of an arrested suspect before a magistrate's court within forty-eight hours unless released on bond); s.39 (no fee on police bonds and recognisances).
- Magistrates Courts Act, Cap. 19 — s.42 (institution of proceedings by complaint, including by a private person; magistrate consults the local chief and draws a charge if a prima facie offence is disclosed and the complaint is not frivolous); s.43 (Director of Public Prosecutions may take over or discontinue).
3. Practical guidance
Report to the nearest police station promptly; give a clear statement and the names of witnesses, and ask for the reference (case/SD) number so you can follow up.
Keep evidence safe and record dates, names and what happened — investigation depends on it.
Follow up with the investigating officer and, where relevant, the officer in charge; ask about progress and any referral to the DPP.
If the police do not act and you have reasonable and probable cause, you may lay a complaint directly before a magistrate with jurisdiction (MCA s.42(3)).
Expect the magistrate to consult the local chief and to draw a charge only if a prima facie offence is disclosed and the complaint is not frivolous (s.42(4)-(5)).
Remember the State leads serious cases — the DPP may take over or discontinue a prosecution (s.43).
This note is a practitioner orientation, not legal advice, and does not create an advocate–client relationship. Ugandan law changes and chapter and section numbers were revised in the 2023 Laws of Uganda. Verify every statute, rule and authority against the current primary source — and the specific facts of your matter — before filing or relying on it.