By Ben Musanje
A fierce online exchange has erupted on X, drawing national attention after AIGP Tom Magambo, the Director for Criminal Investigations, found himself under sharp criticism from outspoken citizen Anthony Natif over Uganda’s crime-fighting record.
The tension began when AIGP Magambo publicly highlighted plans for a new state-of-the-art Data Crime Centre, describing it as a modern facility equipped with advanced tools to boost investigations and strengthen the capacity of the Criminal Investigations Directorate. He signaled optimism, saying the development was part of ongoing efforts by his team to improve how crime is handled across the country.
But the announcement quickly triggered a storm.
Anthony Natif fired back with a scathing critique, accusing the CID leadership of focusing on flashy infrastructure while serious issues remain unresolved. He pointed to what he described as a growing number of unsolved cases, weak forensic systems, and a justice process that leaves many Ugandans stuck on remand as investigations drag on.
The criticism did not stop there. Anthony Natif argued that many citizens are suffering at the hands of criminal gangs while authorities appear to celebrate new buildings instead of delivering real results. He questioned priorities, suggesting that the role of the CID boss is to solve crime, not oversee what he described as “vanity projects.”
The remarks stirred mixed reactions online, with some users backing the criticism while others rallied behind the police leadership.
In a surprising turn, Anthony Natif later softened his tone, acknowledging that Tom Magambo has been a significant and impactful figure in Uganda’s investigations arm. However, he maintained that more needs to be done, especially to address the rising number of inmates stuck in prison due to delayed investigations.
He described the situation as heartbreaking, warning that the numbers continue to grow and calling for urgent action.
Responding calmly, AIGP Magambo agreed that while progress has been made, challenges still remain. He emphasized that fighting crime is an ongoing effort and called on citizens to play their part in building the country, expressing hope that collective responsibility would drive further improvements.
The exchange has since captured widespread attention, turning a routine announcement about a new crime facility into a larger national conversation about justice, accountability, and the real state of crime investigations in Uganda. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
