Residents of Mawugulu village in Kyengera town council, Wakiso district, have asked the government to reinstate village police posts due to a rise in insecurity that has led to numerous fatalities.
These concerns were voiced during a village meeting in Mawugulu village, Nsangi sub-county, where locals revealed that insecurity is on the rise due to the increasing attacks from machete-wielding thugs who rob and kill, particularly targeting boda boda riders and individuals traveling at night, hence making them live in fear.
During an interview with journalists on August 5, 2024, one of the locals, identified as Eric Katende, disclosed that there are places in Kyengera town council that have become dark spots for thugs to attack locals, rob, and kill them.
According to locals, the dark spots include Nanziga Road while heading to Mawugulu village and Musalaba village.
Katende added that these machete-wielding thugs on August 3, 2024, in the wee hours of the night killed a boda boda rider identified as Lasto Kigozi, stole his motorcycle, and also brutally harmed the lady passenger he was carrying.
’’We are living in fear because every day more than 3 people are killed, including boda boda riders. The very night they killed Kigozi, they stole two more motorcycles from a parking lot in Musalaba village after threatening to kill the askari who was guarding it if he did not give them what they wanted,’’ Katende disclosed.
He further called for the re-establishment of village police posts and pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when such posts were operational, crime rates were significantly lower; however, since their removal, robberies, home invasions, and murders have surged.
“There was a police post in Mawugulu village, and the crime rate was minimal. However, since it was dismantled, incidents of robbery and murder have increased dramatically,” Katende added.
The community is currently demanding action from the government to restore security and protect residents from the ongoing threat posed by criminal gangs.
