KAMPALA | Makindye Division is grappling with a number of challenges faced by many urban areas across the country.
Amidst the vibrant community life, pockets of slums have become a breeding ground for crime, keep Katwe, a suburb whose slums have over the years been synonymous with chess, in a check.
But not yet a checkmate as the residents grapple with safety concerns and an urgent need for intervention.
Areas under Katwe Police Division have witnessed a surge in crime rates, with the latest annual Crime Report indication a surge from 3,938 cases in 2022 to 4,291 cases in 2023.
Katwe Police Division polices Makindye Division parts of Makindye Ssabagabo and Lubaga.
Residents here are facing daily challenges ranging from petty theft to more serious offenses.
Factors such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education contribute to the vulnerability of these communities, creating an environment where criminal activities can flourish.
Our visit to Katwe slums after the release of the report gave us a clear view of what is happening in the area.
One of the contributing factors to the prevalence of crime in these slums is the lack of adequate infrastructure and basic services.
Many residents live in overcrowded and poorly constructed dwellings, lacking proper sanitation and access to clean water.
The absence of street lighting and paved roads exacerbates the vulnerability of the community, providing cover for criminal activities.
Police have taken initiatives aimed at engaging residents in crime prevention strategies, such as neighbourhood watch programmes and community policing, are being implemented.
By fostering a sense of collective responsibility, these efforts seek to empower residents to actively contribute to making their neighbourhoods safer.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, says police are going to put in more efforts by increasing foot and motorised patrols, community policing among others.
‘‘We shall intensify and have joint security carrying out operations, our visibility will deter criminals and we hope next year we shall have good results in the report,’’ says Onyango.
To address the root causes of crime, there is a renewed focus on empowering the youth within the slums through education and skills training programs.
By providing access to quality education and vocational training, the hope is to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment, offering young people alternative paths away from criminal activities.
Kiggundu Paddy, the local council chairperson Katwe II West, says Kisenyi one of the slums in the central division used to be the hub of these criminals, but they have since shifted to Katwe since Kisenyi was combed of criminals in the operations carried out by police early last month.
‘’Criminals are many in the area and the engage in crime day and night.’’ says Kiggundu.
Luutu Mukasa LC chairperson, Kitenda zone says, the crime rate used to be very high but they have been working with police to curb crime and the situation is now better.
‘’we used to have so many criminals in the area, but working with our police post at Clock Tower we have managed to reduce crime and chase criminals out of our area’’ says Luutu.