KAMPALA- A joint operation by the Police and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has resulted in the arrest of over 160 suspected criminals in a nationwide crackdown ahead of festival celebrations.
According to Police, these collaborative operations are aimed at ensuring public safety and security during the holiday season. Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke, the Police Spokesperson, stated that the ongoing operations aim to maintain a safe environment throughout the festive season.
“One of the biggest challenges we face as police is that these individuals hide their weapons and rely on their physical strength to harm others. But we are targeting specific areas notorious for harbouring criminals. It is also not secret that people are being beaten, people are in hospitals, and we have to act. Kituuma explained.
According to Kituuma, the operations were conducted in response to numerous complaints from local communities. He said in total they apprehended 166 suspected criminals in various districts as the operations continue.
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The police have also urged local councils and city authorities to require owners of unfinished buildings to provide security measures, following the discovery that many of these structures are being used as hideouts for criminals.
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According to Police, the recent operations led to the arrest of 8 suspected criminals in Namanve and Mukono, who were found in possession of housebreaking instruments. Additionally, 41 more suspects were apprehended in Kireka and Kyaliwajara within Kira Municipality in Wakiso district over the weekend.
The joint operations also resulted in the arrest of 19 suspected thugs in Kibe zone, Kalerwe, along the northern bypass, and an additional 8 suspects in Namugongo. Furthermore, additional suspects were arrested in various districts, including Busia, Jinja, Ssembabule, Tororo, and Lira, over the weekend.
“Some suspects were found with housebreaking tools like knives, pavers, master keys, pangas, and other instruments. Others were caught with narcotics, such as marijuana, particularly among groups of young men. These individuals are not only responsible for raiding homes but also set up night roadblocks on certain highways, like in Busia town” Kituuma noted.
