Residents of Nyakachwamba Parish in Ntara Sub-county, Kitagwenda District, have raised concerns over increasing insecurity in their area, blaming the situation on the absence of a nearby police post.
The residents say cases of livestock and coffee theft have become rampant, leaving many people living in fear and negatively affecting businesses in the area.
According to the residents, the nearest police post is located about 15 kilometers away, making it difficult for security personnel to respond quickly whenever crimes occur.
“We are losing goats, coffee, and other property because thieves take advantage of the absence of police in our area. By the time we report cases, it is always too late,” one resident said.
The Local Council One Chairperson of Nyakachwamba, Ben Twesigye, said the insecurity has negatively affected development in the area, with some business people abandoning the trading center for safer towns.
“Lack of security has forced some traders and business people to leave this area and relocate elsewhere. This has slowed development because people no longer feel safe operating businesses here,” Twesigye said.
The Chairperson of Ntara Sub-county, Mosh Byamukama Mikidadi, acknowledged the security challenges and attributed them to the lack of a police post in the sub-county.
“We have on several occasions requested a police post, but all in vain. The sub-county already has land and a building where police officers can operate from, but up to now we have not received any positive response,” Byamukama said.
In response, the Kitagwenda Resident District Commissioner, Isaiah Byarugaba Kanyamahane, admitted that the sub-county needs a police post considering its size and growing population.
“There is a need for a police post in Ntara Sub-county. However, we are still facing challenges of manpower, but this will improve after the current police trainees complete their training,” Kanyamahane said.
President Museveni previously directed the implementation of the Sub-County Policing Model during the 25th Police Council meeting in November 2019 before reinforcing the directive through an Executive Order in 2023.
The model requires every sub-county, municipality, and town council to operate as a police station equipped with police personnel, motorcycles, and communication tools to improve security response, especially in rural areas.