Police in Kalisizo have taken into custody another notorious gang member that has been terrorizing the locals in Kalisizo town council in the Kyotera district.

Twenty seven year old Joseph Semagala was arrested on December 12, 2024 in a eucalyptus forest in Lwankoni village disguising himself as a madman with a big sack of dirty bottles and drugs.

According to one of the leaders, Matovu Vincent, Semagala’s troubles started when the locals started manhunts for criminals and their hideouts after countless attacks left many dead and others with permanent injuries.

One of the eye witnesses, Mary Nalwadda said that when caught , Semagala begged and pleaded innocent claiming to be a resident collecting bottles in the area.

‘’We were able to identify Semagala because he is a renowned thief who was arrested and beaten in Kalangala when he was caught red-handed stealing hens from a poultry farm, and this left him with a bad scar on his face,’’ Nalwadda said.

She added that Semagala was guarded by the locals and ordered to show before he was taken to police because he was smelling and very dirty.

Semagala was taken to Kalisizo police station and handed over to the police.

The Greater Masaka police spokesperson,Twaha Kasirye,  confirmed the incident and appreciated the locals for their vigilance.

Kasirye told the locals to be careful because some thugs are dangerous and can harm them during these manhunts.

’’I am grateful that the locals have stopped carrying out mob justice and are mostly doing things legally; however, they should also coordinate with police when carrying out these manhunts for protection because some of these criminals are very dangerous and skilled too,’’ Kasirye said.

On December 10 2024 Masaka police arrested 30-year-old Moses Sekyewa, a resident of Masaka Grammar, after he was found in an eucalyptus tree forest with harmful tools and drugs in Kyotera district.

His arrest happened a manhunt by the locals was initiated to search for criminal hideouts in forests and bushy areas when Sekyewa was caught with sacks, a hammer, iron bars, marijuana, and other illicit drugs.

This incident underscores ongoing challenges related to crime in Kyotera district and reflects the community’s proactive stance in seeking safety and security amidst rising threats.