Society news

On July 7, two 61-year-old women lost their lives in Kashkadarya region. This was reported by Upl.uz. This incident was announced on the television program "Millar." Friends born in 1964 came to the summer house to relax, tired of the noise of the city. While swimming in the Okdaryo river, a strong current suddenly swept the women away, and they were unable to reach the shore. As a result, the current carried them far away, leading to a tragedy. The forensic examination determined that the cause of their death was drowning. Currently, preliminary investigative actions are being carried out regarding this case. Details of the incident are being clarified, and investigations are ongoing by the relevant authorities. It is important to raise public awareness and strengthen safety measures to prevent such incidents.

The press service of the State Security Service has reported that a criminal case related to corruption has been opened. This was reported by Upl.uz. Operational measures were carried out by the employees of the State Security Service and the Prosecutor General's Office. During the operation, the deputy colonel, who is the head of one department of the Mirabad district internal affairs department, was detained. This individual was caught while returning part of the money taken from a citizen who had previously been imprisoned by the investigation department of the Yakkasaray district internal affairs department. The accused is charged with illegal production, purchase, storage of narcotic substances, and other related activities. The deputy colonel promised this individual $18,000 in exchange for ensuring his transition from prison to bail. A criminal case has been initiated against the internal affairs officer under the articles of fraud and aiding bribery of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Currently, investigative actions regarding the criminal case are ongoing.

According to the press service of the Tashkent City Emergency Situations Department, on July 16 at 00:10, a "Equinox" brand car caught fire in the Mirzo Ulugbek district located on Mirzo Ulugbek Street. This was reported by Upl.uz. The Emergency Situations Department received a report about this incident. Firefighting service personnel arrived at the scene and began extinguishing the car within three minutes. By 00:16, the fire was completely extinguished. No one was injured as a result of the fire. The causes of the fire are currently being investigated. According to preliminary information, the fire occurred due to a short circuit in the car's engine compartment. The fire initially started under the hood and later spread to the cabin area. Additional investigations are being conducted regarding the incident.

The press service of Uzenergoinspektsiya reports that a case of illegal use of electric energy has been identified in the Navoi region. This was reported by Upl.uz. Control measures were carried out by the staff of the Navoi regional Uzenergoinspektsiya. During the event, the activities of the stone processing workshop of the "J. M." limited liability company located in the Nurata district of the region were inspected. The inspection revealed that this enterprise was illegally using electric energy, as the device measuring electricity consumption had not been registered in accordance with the established procedure. According to preliminary calculations, the amount of damage is estimated at 803.2 million soums. All collected materials regarding this case have been submitted to law enforcement agencies. Currently, preliminary investigation work is underway.

According to the press service of the Department of Criminal Affairs, a person receiving a bribe of 10 million soums has been arrested. This was reported by Upl.uz. During a special operation conducted in cooperation with the employees of the Kungrad district department, security services, and the internal affairs department, an employee of the district medical association was detained. This individual promised to assist another citizen in getting a job at this medical institution in exchange for an advance payment of 10 million soums. He received a total of 2500 US dollars for this service. A criminal case has been initiated under the articles of "Fraud" and "Assisting in Bribery" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this case. The investigation process is ongoing. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of measures being taken to combat corruption in state agencies. Citizens are requested to report such cases immediately to the relevant authorities.

According to the results of the international study "Mental State of the World" published in July 2025, Uzbekistan ranked 74th among 83 countries in terms of the mental health of its population. This was reported by Upl.uz. Although our country is positioned at the lower end of the ranking, it is noted to have relatively good indicators among Central Asian countries. Neighboring countries rank even lower. For example, Kazakhstan ranks 76th, Kyrgyzstan 79th, and Tajikistan 80th. Researchers believe that the level of anxiety among the population in the region is high, depressive conditions are widespread, and resilience to stress is low. The mental health index evaluates a number of important criteria, including emotional state, cognitive abilities, motivation, social activity, and adaptability. The Dominican Republic, Tanzania, and Panama are leading in the ranking, where high emotional well-being and resilience have been noted. Despite the overall challenges in the region, Uzbekistan demonstrates a relatively stable mental state compared to its neighbors. The main reasons for mental health issues in Central Asia are cited as socio-economic pressures, cultural stigmatization of mental illnesses, and limited access to qualified psychological support. At the same time, existing trends allow for the development of national mental health support programs.

According to the press service of the Tashkent City Department of Internal Affairs Traffic Safety Department, a case of drug possession has been identified. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 15 of this year, at 00:35, DPS officers stopped a "Spark" brand vehicle at the "Sharq" road patrol post located in the Bektemir district of Tashkent city. The vehicle was entering the capital's territory. When checking the driver's documents, the behavior of one of the passengers in the vehicle raised suspicion among the internal affairs officers. Subsequently, a decision was made to conduct an additional inspection of the vehicle. As a result of the inspection, a narcotic substance known as "hashish" was found from the suspected individual. Relevant documents were formalized regarding this case. The person related to the crime was detained and taken to the Bektemir district internal affairs department. Currently, investigative actions are underway. The internal affairs authorities are asking citizens to cooperate in ensuring legality. The fight against drugs will continue consistently.

From January to May 2025, the number of foreign citizens arriving in Uzbekistan for tourism purposes reached 4.2 million. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information is based on data from the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Compared to the same period last year, the number of guests increased by 1.4 million, or 48.2 percent. This, in turn, indicates the growing tourism potential of Uzbekistan and the effectiveness of the measures being taken to develop the sector. The most tourists came from the following countries: 1,280.1 thousand from Kyrgyzstan, 993.7 thousand from Tajikistan, 889.6 thousand from Kazakhstan, 334.3 thousand from Russia, 199.2 thousand from Afghanistan, 142.5 thousand from Turkmenistan, 65.8 thousand from Turkey, 51.9 thousand from China, 28.5 thousand from India, 17.4 thousand from Italy, and a total of 201.1 thousand from other countries. These figures indicate the increasing reputation of Uzbekistan as an international tourism center and the growing interest in the country.

Information about fraud committed by a construction company against customers who purchased houses has spread on social media. Upl.uz reported this. The official website of the Tashkent city police department provided a comment on this situation. On August 11, 2021, a citizen named T.Nodir and several other individuals established "STRONG CITIES" LLC. After the company was registered, they attempted to gain the trust of several citizens without obtaining the necessary documents and without registering with the regional inspection authority. T.Nodir and his partners promised to build a multi-story building on Usta Olim Street in the Almazar district and sell apartments in it. Additionally, they fraudulently obtained large sums of money from citizens based on contracts during 2023-2024, but did not open a separate bank account. Currently, a criminal case has been initiated under Article 168, Part 4, Clause "a" of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (large-scale fraud) regarding this situation. Preventive measures have been applied against T.Nodir. Investigations by official authorities are ongoing regarding this case. Citizens are advised to act cautiously when encountering such situations.

Recently, against the backdrop of corruption cases that have emerged in the leading universities of our country, the Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education Kongratboy Sharipov made an official statement. This was reported by Upl.uz. He announced that strict measures will be taken to completely eliminate illegal practices in the system. This statement was made after teachers suspected of accepting bribes for admission were detained. The problem occurred at Tashkent State University of Economics and Fergana State University. As a result of the swift actions of law enforcement agencies, several employees of these higher education institutions were detained, and an investigation process has begun. According to preliminary information, they demanded bribes of 4000 and 3800 US dollars from applicants. Kongratboy Sharipov emphasized that such cases seriously undermine the reputation of the entire education sector. In his statement, the minister described these cases as "completely unforgivable" and stressed that such actions are absolutely contrary to the status of educators. He addressed teachers and the leadership of educational institutions, saying, "We expect you to serve society through education and upbringing, not to commit crimes." He also emphasized that the teaching profession is not only a personal career but also a responsibility for the future of the nation and the fate of the younger generation. The ministry's position remains firm: there will be no forgiveness in the fight against corruption. According to Kongratboy Sharipov, every leader and employee in the higher education system must take personal responsibility against corruption and operate solely based on the law. This firm position aims to enhance the transparency and reliability of the national education system, which is crucial for Uzbekistan's integration into the global education arena and attracting foreign partners. Additionally, Kongratboy Sharipov addressed applicants and their parents, firmly rejecting illegal means of admission. He stated, "No one has the right to ensure your admission in exchange for a bribe. You can only become a student through a fair selection based on your knowledge." In conclusion, the minister announced that systematic efforts will continue to create an open and honest competitive environment in the education system. Violations of the law will be prevented, and offenders will be punished within the framework of the law. To reduce the risk of corruption and increase transparency in Uzbekistan, a centralized entrance examination system has been implemented by the State Testing Center. Exam results are published online, allowing applicants and the public to monitor the selection process in real-time.

The system for monitoring the operation of elevator equipment in Uzbekistan is not functioning effectively. This was reported by Upl.uz. This has led to a situation where a significant portion of newly installed elevators operate in conditions that pose a threat to citizens' safety. In the last two years, a total of 11,400 new elevators have been installed and put into operation in residential and commercial buildings across our republic. However, according to official data, 78 percent of these elevators have been put into operation without undergoing mandatory technical tests. Raufjon Rasulov, head of the press service of the technical regulation agency, noted that more than half of the installed elevators, approximately 6,000, do not have the main document – the technical passport. Additionally, 7,400 elevators, which is 65 percent of the new elevators, have not been assigned special companies responsible for regular maintenance. This further complicates the situation. In order to address these issues, relevant organizations are taking decisive measures. According to Rasulov, it has been determined that the existing service and technical inspection system is not effective in practice. Therefore, a new monitoring system that complies with international advanced standards is being implemented in Uzbekistan. Its main task is to ensure the safety of elevators throughout their entire lifespan – covering all stages from design to the utilization process. In developing the new regulations, Uzbekistan has relied on the strict safety requirements of European Union countries. Additionally, successful practices implemented in China, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey are being studied and adapted. This initiative coincides with changes in international trade and regulatory policies, including the review process of technical regulations promoted by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Recently, new rules regulating the technical inspection of elevators have been adopted in the republic. From now on, each elevator must undergo mandatory inspection at least once a year. To inform citizens and law enforcement officials, elevators that have not passed inspection or have been found to be faulty will be marked with special identifying stickers, and their use will be prohibited. The world's first passenger elevator equipped with a safety device was demonstrated by Elisha Otis in New York in 1854. To demonstrate the reliability of his invention, he stood in the elevator and ordered the cable to be cut, thus preventing the cabin from falling. This invention took elevator safety to a new level

In the last five years, the level of cybercrime in Uzbekistan has sharply increased and multiplied by 68 times. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the information presented at the CyberWeek forum held in Samarkand, approximately 44 percent of the crimes registered in the country since the beginning of 2024 have been committed using digital technologies and communication tools. During a session dedicated to the security of financial ecosystems, representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the national payment system Uzcard analyzed the current situation and emphasized that the risk factors have shifted from traditional directions to human factors. Experts believe that the main threat is not from complex hacking attacks, but rather from social engineering methods targeting ordinary citizens. In his speech, Uzcard's Deputy Director for Information Security Botirjon Shoqamov drew attention to the psychological aspects of modern crimes. He stated: “If a person willingly gives a secret code received via SMS to a fraudster, even the most sophisticated security system cannot prevent the theft of funds. The main and most reliable barrier must be formed in the person's mind.” Analyses show that direct technical attacks on systems are quite rare. More often, criminals exert psychological pressure, presenting themselves as bank employees, law enforcement officers, or utility service workers. They distribute fraudulent links, obtain personal information through fake websites, and arrange microloans and consumer loans in the name of the victims. According to Shoqamov, “The main difference is that while hackers attack systems, fraudsters attack people, their trust, and negligence. Therefore, we are paying special attention not only to strengthening technical protection measures but also to teaching cardholders to think critically when using digital services.” This problem is not only local. In the global process of digital transformation, while the administration of US President Donald Trump emphasized the need to strengthen the national “cyber shield,” many countries are facing similar issues. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Uzcard have launched a large-scale information campaign aimed at increasing cybersecurity literacy. These events particularly focus on the populations of Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana regions, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan. These areas were chosen because, according to law enforcement agencies, the highest number of reports of digital fraud victims come from these places. The events are conducted in cooperation with local government bodies, ensuring broad community engagement. The term “social engineering” was popularized by one of the most famous hackers in history, Kevin Mitnick, who emphasized that obtaining a password by deceiving a person over the phone is much easier than hacking.

Despite the previous ban, a criminal case has been initiated against a woman who used dubious and inappropriate methods in treating stuttering in children. This was reported by Upl.uz. A year ago, the children's rights representative investigated the activities of citizen J.D. and found that she had used inappropriate words and force in treating children for stuttering. An inspection conducted by a working group of qualified defectologists and speech therapists revealed that J.D.'s methods lacked scientific basis. As a result of this investigation, a criminal case for fraud was opened against J.D., and she was banned from engaging in any activities related to stuttering issues in children, with a strict prohibition on continuing such services. However, according to the press service of the children's rights representative, J.D. ignored the ban and resumed working with children, continuing her harmful, unscientific practices. In response, on June 2, the children's rights representative once again appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office. As a result of urgent measures, on June 25, the Prosecutor's Office of the Yunusabad district of Tashkent annulled the decision to suspend the criminal case accepted on April 17. The case materials were handed over to the investigation department of the Yunusabad district police for necessary investigative actions. On July 4, the investigation department opened a new criminal case regarding J.D.'s actions that directly contradict the interests of children. Currently, initial investigative actions are ongoing. The children's rights representative continues to closely monitor this case from the perspective of protecting children's interests.

As of July 1, 2025, the number of active small enterprises in Uzbekistan (excluding farms and dehkan farms) reached a total of 393,359. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Since the beginning of the year, the number of small business entities has increased by 35,243, indicating stable growth in small business across the country. When analyzed by regions, the city of Tashkent leads with the highest number of small enterprises. 23.4 percent of all small business entities, that is, 91,916, are located specifically in the city of Tashkent. The distribution of active small enterprises by regions is as follows: Tashkent city – 91,916, Tashkent region – 38,140, Samarkand region – 34,124, Fergana region – 30,817, Kashkadarya region – 24,658, Bukhara region – 24,335, Khorezm region – 22,709, Andijan region – 21,890, Namangan region – 21,648, Surkhandarya region – 21,053, Karakalpakstan – 18,915, Navoi region – 17,766, Jizzakh region – 15,492, and Syrdarya region – 9,896. These figures reflect the unequal development of small entrepreneurship across the country.

In the first five months of 2025, a total of 77,910 televisions were imported into Uzbekistan, with a total value of 16.8 million dollars. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information is based on data from the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The main supplier of televisions is China, from which 53,994 televisions were brought in. This number is nearly six times more than the number of televisions imported from the second-largest importer, Vietnam. A total of 8,553 televisions were imported from Vietnam. The list of countries that imported the most televisions into Uzbekistan in the first five months of 2025 is as follows: China 53,994 units, Vietnam 8,553 units, Kazakhstan 6,690 units, Indonesia 5,390 units, India 2,918 units, and a total of 365 televisions were brought in from other countries. This data shows the main suppliers in Uzbekistan's television market.

During the next meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, deputies approved a draft law aimed at creating an effective system for crime prevention in the first reading. This was reported by Upl.uz. Deputies emphasized that steps have been taken to stabilize crime rates by strengthening the activities of base points in neighborhoods and introducing the positions of major and minor inspectors for preventive measures. However, until now, only preventive inspectors operating in neighborhoods had the right to conduct activities and take measures within the system of internal affairs agencies. Major and minor inspectors at base points did not have such authority. The new draft law grants these inspectors the right to review administrative cases and take appropriate measures. Additionally, in the existing system, patrol service inspectors can prepare administrative reports, but the review and decision-making are assigned to other responsible individuals, including the excessive burden on preventive inspectors. This leads to a loss of time in resolving issues for citizens. Therefore, the draft law proposes to transfer the authority for reviewing administrative reports prepared by patrol service inspectors directly to their supervisors. The adoption of this draft law is expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness of efforts to prevent crimes at an early stage, ensure public order in neighborhoods, and stabilize crime rates.

A two-year-old boy fell from a height of about two meters at the viewing platform near the "Anhor-Lokomotiv" park in Tashkent city. This was reported by Upl.uz. This platform is located between the hydroelectric station and the boulevard. Fortunately, the boy was only limited to scratches. The cause of the fall was the lack of flooring in one part of the platform, where the boy fell into a hole. Witnesses noted that this incident has not happened for the first time: previously, a man also fell into the same hole and suffered a serious fracture in his leg. Most regrettably, various service personnel present at the scene refused to take responsibility. They cited that the platform was not within their jurisdiction. Only after the issue was widely discussed on social media and caught the public's attention was the dangerous hole repaired. This incident highlights the urgent need to pay serious attention to safety issues in the area. The city administration and relevant organizations must strengthen constant monitoring to prevent such incidents. Parents and citizens also need to be cautious in ensuring the safety of their children.

Today, on July 15, the second season of the "Initiative Budget" program for 2025 has started in Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. Starting today, the project submission phase for the second season of 2025 has opened on the "Open Budget" portal. The program will be implemented in the following phases. The first phase – project submission will last from July 15 to August 3. The next phase – project selection will take place from August 4 to August 18. The third phase – the promotion phase will be held from August 19 to August 21. The final phase – voting will last from August 22 to August 31. This process is organized to support the initiatives of the population and contribute to the socio-economic development of the regions. The program allows participants to present their projects and ensure public support. Each step has specific deadlines, and participants must submit their projects within the designated time. The voting phase serves to select the most viable projects. Thus, the "Initiative Budget" program encourages active participation from the population and leads to positive changes in the regions

As of July 1, 2025, there are 29,400 active construction companies in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee. Since the beginning of this year, the number of companies in the construction sector has increased by 1,992, indicating the active development of this sector. In terms of the distribution of construction companies by regions, the largest number of companies is located in the capital city of Tashkent. In Tashkent, 24.2% of the total number of companies, or 7,118 companies, are operating. This situation shows Tashkent's central position in the construction industry. The distribution of construction companies by region is as follows: 7,118 in Tashkent city, 2,626 in Tashkent region, 2,180 in Samarkand region, 2,174 in Fergana region, 2,095 in Bukhara region, 2,018 in Kashkadarya region, 1,912 in Surkhandarya region, 1,685 in Andijan region, 1,546 in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, 1,466 in Khorezm region, 1,348 in Namangan region, 1,210 in Jizzakh region, 1,166 in Navoi region, and 856 companies are operating in Syrdarya region. These figures confirm the stable development of the construction sector across the country.

A court process regarding sexual violence has been completed in Namangan. This was reported by Upl.uz. 34-year-old O. Sh. was accused and initially sentenced to five days of administrative detention. However, he appealed for a reduction of the sentence. This was reported by the information agency “UzNews.uz,” citing the decision of the Namangan city criminal court. The incident occurred in a Damas vehicle driven by O. Sh. A male sexually assaulted a female passenger, grabbing her thigh and breast, creating an uncomfortable situation. The woman immediately demanded that the vehicle stop and contacted law enforcement after the incident. The first-instance court found O. Sh. guilty under Article 41-1 of the Administrative Responsibility Code (Sexual Violence) and imposed a five-day administrative detention. However, O. Sh. disagreed with the court's decision and filed an appeal, expressing genuine remorse. The victim woman stated that she forgave him and confirmed that O. Sh. and his mother apologized. He requested the court to reduce the sentence and stated that he had no claims. These circumstances, as well as the fact that O. Sh. has three minor children who depend on him, were taken into account. The appellate court partially satisfied O. Sh.'s complaint and reduced the administrative detention period from five to three days.