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UPDF officers organizing for operations. By Dramadri Federick Arua City More than 300 Ugandans lose their lives every year due to gun-related violence, largely driven by the misuse of legally owned firearms and the widespread circulation of illegal guns. This
UPDF officers organizing for operations.
By Dramadri Federick
Arua City
More than 300 Ugandans lose their lives every year due to gun-related violence, largely driven by the misuse of legally owned firearms and the widespread circulation of illegal guns. This is according to a report by the National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The report highlights a persistent but fluctuating pattern of gun-related crimes across the country. In the past five years alone, a total of 1,550 people have been killed by shootings, with authorities noting a steady rise in such incidents since 2020.
Officials say Uganda’s geographical position as a landlocked country, surrounded by several neighbors with active conflict zones and porous borders, has increased the risk of illegal firearms entering the country.
Anthony Nakhaima, the Deputy National Coordinator of the Uganda National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NFP/SALW), says the rise and fluctuation in gun-related killings is partly linked to the increasing cases of contract killings targeting prominent individuals, including government officials, politicians, and religious leaders.
“On average, about 350 people die every year due to shootings, and this does not include those who survive gunshot injuries. Contract killings are becoming rampant, where individuals are hired with small amounts of money to eliminate targets using firearms,” Nakhaima explained.
According to the report, Uganda recorded 249 deaths from shootings in 2020, which slightly increased to 253 deaths in 2021. The number rose further to 300 in 2022 and peaked at 330 deaths in 2023.
Although the country registered a significant decline in gun-related killings to 188 deaths in 2024, the number again increased to 230 cases in 2025, raising concerns among security agencies.
Nakhaima further revealed that forensic investigations into violent crimes indicate that a significant number of firearms used in criminal activities originate from state security agencies, while others are sourced from unregistered and illegal channels.
“In many of the forensic examinations we conduct, we find that some firearms used in crimes are marked as belonging to the police, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), or private security companies. There are also a few linked to the prisons service,” Nakhaima noted.
Security officials in the West Nile policing region have also raised concerns about the role of porous borders in the illegal circulation of firearms. The region alone reportedly has more than 360 ungazetted entry and exit points, which facilitate smuggling of various goods, including weapons.
SP Josephine Angucia West Nile Police Public Relations Officer.
West Nile Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Angucia, says although there have been isolated incidents in the past involving negligence leading to missing firearms, the situation has largely been brought under control.
“We have not registered cases where our officers deliberately hire out firearms for money. The few incidents related to negligence have been handled, and strict measures have been put in place to prevent such occurrences,” Angucia said.
Meanwhile, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) say they maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy towards misuse of firearms by soldiers.
UPDF Public Information Officer, Lt. Nasser Mene, says disciplinary measures are taken against any officer found misusing weapons.
“We do not condone any misuse of ammunition or firearms, whether against civilians or fellow soldiers. Any officer found culpable faces disciplinary action according to military law,” Mene emphasized.
In response to the growing concerns over gun violence, the government is currently reviewing the Firearms Act of 1970. The proposed amendments seek to introduce tougher penalties for firearm-related offences, increase licensing fees for gun ownership, and impose stricter background checks and requirements for individuals seeking to legally acquire firearms.
Authorities believe that strengthening the legal framework, tightening control over state-owned weapons, and improving border security will be key in reducing gun-related crimes in Uganda.