Police in Kabale Municipality have intensified night patrols and intelligence-led operations following growing concerns over house break-ins and robberies in several parts of the municipality.
Residents in Bugongi and Ruhita in Northern Division have recently reported cases of house break-ins and attacks, with some residents calling for increased police presence, particularly at night.
Responding to concerns raised by residents on Kabale Community and Security WhatsApp forum on Wednesday, Kabale District Police Commander, SP Charles Okello, said police had already arrested about 10 suspects during routine operations and appealed to residents to provide information on suspicious people and activities.
“Police has the capacity to avert commission of crime, but it requires information from those of us in the community,” SP Okello said.
He said the suspects were arrested during a routine motorised patrol around Kigongi Stream in Kabale Central Division, where police found them gathered in an isolated bushy area around midnight.
According to SP Okello, some of the suspects were allegedly found smoking marijuana, although police are also seeking information from the public that could help establish whether any of them are linked to other criminal activities.
He said he had tasked the officer in charge of Northern Division to follow up reports submitted by residents and urged the public to cooperate with police investigations.
The development comes amid reports of panga-wielding assailants targeting residents in Kyanamira Sub-county, Kyanamira Parish and parts of Nyakijumba.
Residents allege that some of the suspects use boda bodas to stage attacks, particularly at night. In some incidents, the suspects reportedly pretend that their motorcycles have run out of fuel and ask motorists or pedestrians for assistance before attacking them.
Residents say some attacks have occurred as early as 8pm.
Among the reported victims is Centenary Bank supervisor Anna Owomugisha, who was allegedly attacked by two men near the gate of her home in Kyanamira.
Owomugisha said the assailants attacked her with pangas as she attempted to open the gate, leaving her unconscious. She said they took her car and a mobile phone from the vehicle.
The vehicle was later recovered in Kirengyere along the Kabale-Mbarara Road.
The reported attacks have prompted local leaders to call for intensified night patrols and greater cooperation between residents and security agencies.
Last month, Kigezi Regional Police Commander SP Nelson Tumushime said police were aware of the insecurity in Kyanamira and were pursuing the suspected criminals.
He said some of the suspects had previously operated around Kabalaga, which police had identified as a hotspot, before shifting towards Kyanamira following police operations.
SP Tumushime assured residents that police would continue pursuing the suspects and appealed to the community to share information that could assist in identifying and apprehending those involved in criminal activities.
SP Okello also urged residents not only to report crimes after they occur but to alert police about suspicious persons and activities to enable officers to prevent offences.
