Kabale municipal leaders decry rise in crime

Local leaders in Kabale have decried the rising crime rate in the municipality and asked police to strengthen security patrols in the area.

The LC1 leaders made the remarks yesterday while speaking during a general security meeting, which was held at Kabale Municipal Council hall.

The Igabiro Cell LC1 chairperson Mujjasi Athanasius, said although police recently carried out an operation that led to the arrest of some criminals, crime rate is still high in the district.

He cited an example of a hawker who was earlier this month waylaid and killed in Kyanamira Sub-county in broad daylight.

The Hospital Cell Chairperson, Betty Kyomuhendo, and the Rwamukundi Cell Chairperson, Naris Tumwesigye, said that several youths are redundant, which forces them to resort to crime for survival.

They cited a woman who was last week attacked near Kabale District headquarters, as she was taking her child to Kabale Hospital for treatment.

The Kabale District Police Commander, Joseph Bakaleke, said since last month, they have arrested at least 80 people in police operations aimed at cracking down criminals terrorizing residents in Kabale Municipality.

The Kigezi Region Police Commander, Ibrahim Saiga, asked leaders to stop blaming police for the increasing crime rate and urged them to re-activate security village committees in order to have peaceful communities.