The implementation of section III of the nationwide CCTV venture by the Uganda Police Pressure (UPF) would require a further US$62 million.
This revelation was made by the Undersecretary of the Police Aggrey Wunyi whereas showing earlier than the Committee on Defence and Inner Affairs on Tuesday, 11 March 2025.
Wunyi stated that the venture continues to be on the design and funds solicitation stage.
AUDIO Wunyi
The State Minister for Inner Affairs, Hon. David Muhoozi led members of the power to the assembly of the committee. The Inspector Normal of Police (IGP), Abbas Byakagaba accompanied the minister.
The minister added that the already carried out section I and II of the nationwide CCTV system is acting at a median starting from 85 per cent to 95 per cent with some districts reaching 100 per cent efficiency.
Muhoozi added that the system has thus far lined all of the 19 Kampala Metropolitan policing divisions and all municipalities together with Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kisoro, Arua, Gulu, Iganga and Jinja.
The opposite municipalities lined embrace Rukungiri, Bushenyi, Kasese, Fort Portal, Mubende, Mityana, Hoima, Masindi, Kitgum, Lira, Soroti, Moroto, Mbale, Kapchorwa, Tororo and Kamuli.
“Since implementation of the system in 2018, 42,417 operational and intelligence led incidents have been managed and 6,688 instances have undergone thorough investigation utilizing the footage captured,” stated Muhoozi.
He stated section III of the venture seeks to shut the gaps recognized within the preliminary phases by way of rising digital camera density to scale back blind spots, introduce body-worn cameras for cops and improve the capability of the information centre to help rising storage and processing wants.
“The system has to maintain working as a result of UPF recruited certified IT personnel and engineers to do upkeep of the system. Solely steady coaching on new upgrades of the system is required,” Muhoozi added.
Legislators nonetheless, queried the effectiveness of the CCTV cameras.
Committee Chairperson, Hon. Wilson Kajwengye requested concerning the capability of the cameras to function effectively throughout energy outages affecting totally different elements of the nation.
“We’ve got had incidences the place the primary grid goes off. Does that have an effect on your cameras or do the cameras have capability to maintain working regardless of such challenges? Is that this additionally the case all through the nation?” Kajwengye requested.
Hon. Peter Okeyoh (NRM, Bukooli Island County) tasked the UPF management to offer the measures being taken to vandalism of CCTV techniques within the discipline, together with throughout development works like highway upkeep.
Kagoma North County MP, Hon. Kintu Brandon requested concerning the feasibility of the nationwide CCTV system in incorporating footage captured personal CCTV cameras.
“We’ve got cameras put in in personal locations like supermarkets, bars, motels or houses. How do you hyperlink them to your important CCTV centre in instances of crimes the place it is advisable to verify their footage?” Kintu requested.
Muhoozi clarified that the nationwide system will not be related to the personal CCTV cameras.
“We solely use volunteer info from these with private cameras. We additionally do not need a authorized regime that governs personal cameras and the way they will provide enter within the nationwide grid of cameras, as a result of there are privateness points concerned,” Muhoozi stated.
To sort out vandalism, Muhoozi famous that CCTV cameras are mounted on poles lined with spikes to discourage individuals from climbing to destroy the digital camera techniques.
The UPF Director for ICT, Felix Baryamwisaki stated the CCTV system has sturdy provisions to handle the inconsistencies of energy provide.
“The digital camera websites have energy backup of as much as eight hours. If the primary grid goes off past that, we get affected however the primary monitoring centres stay operational as a result of they’ve longer backup hours,” stated Baryamwisaki.
He added that energy entry in cities has significantly improved with energy outages of no more than 4 hours including that there are plans to put in photo voltaic techniques at CCTV websites in areas with lengthy energy outages.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
