Summary:
- Kigezi Regional Police Commander ACP Ibrahim Saiga assured the protesters that their concerns would be addressed after the Kisoro Women Member of Parliament by-elections.
RUBANDA: A section of residents from Nyamweru Sub County in Rubanda East County, Rubanda District on Friday stormed the Kigezi Regional Police Headquarters, demanding the release of fellow community members arrested for allegedly participating in a mob attack on a suspected thief.
The arrested individuals, identified as Alex Matsiko, Richard Begira, and Amos Atuhaire Kibibi, are accused of involvement in the mob justice incident that resulted in the death of Joab Ainembabazi, a resident of Rwamuzoka village in Bigungiro Parish, Nyamweru Sub County. Ainembabazi was lynched on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
The protesting residents, hailing from seven villages Rwamuzuka, Kagoyi, Keru, Ikamiro, Nyakabingo, Nyamiyaga, and Rwakaruma, all in Bigungiro Parish and from Kaziniro, Biraraara, Rukore, and Murambi in Muyanje Ward, Bubaare Town Council, marched to the Kigezi Regional Police Headquarters in Kabale Municipality.
CUE IN RESIDENTS…..VOXPOP……RR//
Led by community members including Denise Namanya from Keru, Edward Niwahereza from Kagoyi village, Prossy Turyamureeba from Bigungiro Trading Centre, and Julius Katiraho, the protesters expressed frustration over rising theft in the area. They claim that local thieves have become a serious obstacle to government programs, such as the Parish Development Model, from which residents received funding to purchase livestock. These animals have since been stolen, leaving them with nothing to repay the government.
The local leaders from Bigungiro, led by Fred Byakwaga, Chairman LC2 of Bigungiro Parish, and other officials such as Gilbert Katushabe, Chairman LCI Bigungiro Trading Centre, Alex Tabaruka, Vice Chairman of Bigungiro Trading Centre, and Docus Narohoza, Nyamweru Sub County Councillor representing Bigungiro Parish women, also joined the protest. They criticized the police for what they see as delayed responses to theft complaints but swift action in cases of mob justice. They called for the release of the arrested individuals, citing concerns over law enforcement’s inconsistency.
Leaders also raised questions about why the suspects were detained in Kabale District instead of Rubanda District, where they reside.
CUE IN LEADERS…….VOXPOP……..RR//
In response, Kigezi Regional Police Commander ACP Ibrahim Saiga assured the protesters that their concerns would be addressed after the Kisoro Women Member of Parliament by-elections. He promised to work with local leaders to find a lasting solution to the issue of theft in the area and urged residents not to resort to mob justice.
CUE IN SAIGA……ON THE MATTER……..ENG//
