Residents of Bukasa-Lwamikoma Village in Kituntu Sub-county, Mpigi District, have appealed to security agencies to intervene, saying a group of local youth has turned the area into an unsafe place, particularly during the night.
The appeal was led by the LC I Chairperson of Bukasa-Lwamikoma, Fredrick Sempereza, who said increasing cases of robbery, theft, and harassment have left residents living in fear.
According to Sempereza, the suspects are not outsiders but young people born and raised within the village.
“Our entire village is living in fear. These youth have become violent. They attack women returning home at night, snatch handbags, steal mobile phones and commit all kinds of crimes. The most painful part is that they are our own children,” Sempereza said.
He revealed that village leaders have held several meetings with the youth and their parents in an effort to end the criminal activities, but the situation has continued to deteriorate.
“We have tried dialogue with the youth and engaged their parents, but nothing has changed. We now need security agencies to step in before the situation gets worse,” he added.
Residents said they no longer feel safe walking at night, with many opting to leave work early to avoid being attacked.
“If you are walking home after dark, you are always afraid. They rob people of money and mobile phones. Women are the most affected because they are often targeted on their way home,” one resident said.
The residents described the situation as alarming, noting that many people now live in constant fear of being attacked whenever they move around after nightfall.
Sempereza appealed to the Mpigi District Security Committee and the Uganda Police Force to intensify night patrols and crack down on suspected criminals operating in the village.
“We appeal to the Police to help us. If possible, conduct night patrols or arrest suspicious people moving around at night because our village has lost its peace,” he said.
Bukasa-Lwamikoma is one of the fastest-growing trading centres in Kituntu Sub-county, with its population steadily increasing as more people settle in the area. Residents say improved security is now essential to protect lives, property, and livelihoods.
