Makindye residents have accused the Katwe division headquarters police for sleeping on the job, which has led to a rampant surge in violent crimes, machete attacks, and deaths in Makindye and the surrounding areas.

This comes after one of the criminals, called Kazungu, was re-arrested after committing another crime, yet he had recently escaped from the Katwe police station without being tried in court.

The locals further accused the Katwe police officers of working together with the criminals, saying whenever criminals are arrested, they are released immediately, hence making them live in fear.

During an interview with journalists on October 14, 2024, the locals revealed that the machete attacks and deaths have increased in Makindye as a result of police officers not punishing the criminals but rather asking them for money in exchange for their freedom, calling it wrong and illegal.

They further expressed their frustrations towards police by accusing them of being corrupt, hence why most of the cases at Katwe police station are not closed because the suspects are released on bond and never tried in court.

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One of the local leaders in Makindye, Bosco Lusagala, said that residents are in danger due to increased kifesi gangs in the area, making them live in fear and anxiety.

“The locals at times know the people that attack them but are scared to report them because whenever these criminals are released, they come back for revenge and punish whoever reported them,’’ Lusagala said.

Lusagala added that many lives have been lost during attacks, while some people have permanent injuries, and others are still admitted in hospitals due to the severity of the wounds they incurred during the attacks.

He further called on the government to intervene and beef up security in the area to end the attacks.

Bribery among police officers in Uganda is notably prevalent, making the Uganda Police Force one of the most corrupt institutions in East Africa. According to the East Africa Bribery Index by Transparency International, the Uganda Police scored 80.8%, indicating a high likelihood of encountering bribery situations compared to other police forces in the region.

Overall, police corruption severely undermines community trust, leading to detrimental effects on public safety, law enforcement legitimacy, and overall societal cohesion; therefore, addressing these issues is essential for restoring faith in police institutions and ensuring effective governance.