Security agencies in Masaka have raised concern over the increasing number of children getting involved in criminal activities, a trend they say is overwhelming law enforcement efforts in the region.
The concerns were highlighted during a training meeting organized by OKOA the organisation that fights for the rights of children in Masaka City, aimed at equipping security personnel with skills on how to reduce domestic violence, especially against women and children.
Officials noted that cases involving children, particularly defilement and their involvement in theft are on the rise across the Greater Masaka region.
Wilson Kizza, the officer in charge of children’s affairs in Masaka City, said the vice is most prevalent in Nyendo, attributing it to congestion and high population.
“These areas are highly populated and act as hubs where many people converge, which has increased cases of child abuse and child trafficking,” Kizza explained.
His concerns were echoed by Felix Mugasha, the Officer in Charge of Prisons in Greater Masaka, who revealed that the situation has also overwhelmed correctional facilities.
“At Masaka Main Prison alone, 607 inmates are on remand over cases related to child abuse and defilement,” Mugasha said.
The Regional Police Commander for Greater Masaka, Gad Murungi, warned that even young children are increasingly becoming involved in crime.
He noted that many minors are now participating in offenses such as aggravated robbery, which has led to overcrowding in detention facilities where they are held.
A legal officer from OKOA called on the government to establish a separate juvenile remand home in the region, noting that children are sometimes detained together with adults, an arrangement he described as dangerous and inappropriate.
Brigadier Jackson Kajuba Pande, the commander of the Kasijagirwa military barracks, urged security agencies to focus on addressing the root causes of domestic violence rather than only arresting offenders.
“Efforts should be directed at preventing violence in homes, because arrests alone cannot solve the problem,” he said.
He also commended security personnel for their continued efforts, acknowledging that they too face challenges, including abuse and attacks, particularly from individuals involved in substance abuse.
Security officers at the meeting shared experiences from the field, outlining the progress made and the challenges they continue to face in combating these crimes.
Authorities are now calling for a multi-sectoral approach to address the growing crisis and protect vulnerable children across the region.