Responding to the concerns, the Officer in Charge of Nsangi Police Station, Bright Asiimwe, defended the operations, saying they were launched in response to increasing criminal activity, particularly attacks by panga-wielding gangs operating in Kyengera Ward, Nabbingo and other parts of Kyengera Town Council.
Kyengera Town Council Chairperson Semugera Joseph Bitokote has urged police to involve Local Council I (LCI) chairpersons in ongoing security operations to help identify innocent residents and reduce what he described as indiscriminate arrests during crime crackdowns.
Semugera said the blanket arrests being conducted across different villages have left many innocent residents in police custody, creating anxiety among families and placing pressure on local leaders who are often approached for intervention.
“As political leaders, we have been greatly troubled by parents and wives whose children and husbands have been arrested. Despite believing they are innocent, our efforts to secure their release often hit a dead end,” Semugera said.
Luba Properties Boss Calls for Regulation of Real Estate Sector to Curb Unplanned Estates
He added that residents have expressed dissatisfaction with operations which target the young, youth and the elderly without a clear selection criterion.
“Residents are not happy with operations that simply sweep through villages, arresting young and old people alike without following clear criteria. After failing to secure the release of their loved ones, they come to us with endless complaints. If local leaders are not involved before the arrests, then they should at least be allowed to help screen out innocent people afterwards,” he said.
Semugera made the remarks on Friday during a security meeting held at Kyengera Town Council headquarters. The meeting brought together security officials and local leaders to discuss the recent rise in insecurity in the area and preparations for the forthcoming Local Council I (LCI) elections.
Responding to the concerns, the Officer in Charge of Nsangi Police Station, Bright Asiimwe, defended the operations, saying they were launched in response to increasing criminal activity, particularly attacks by panga-wielding gangs operating in Kyengera Ward, Nabbingo and other parts of Kyengera Town Council.
According to Asiimwe, the operations have significantly improved the security situation.
“We also carry out screening, releasing innocent people while taking habitual criminals to court, where many have been remanded. Their removal from the community has brought lasting peace, which is now being enjoyed by our people,” he said.
The meeting also resolved to engage officials from the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) over the removal of security lights mounted on electricity poles in several dark spots, arguing that the lights play a critical role in preventing crime.
As preparations for the LCI elections gather pace, participants identified several villages as potential hotspots for election-related violence and called on police to deploy adequate personnel to maintain law and order on polling day.
According to the Electoral Commission, the elections will cover Village Women Committee positions and Local Council I leadership structures in all 71,214 villages across the country.
Campaigns for LCI positions will run from July 20 to July 27, while polling will be conducted on July 28. Each village will serve as a polling station, with voting taking place through the lining-up method in open public spaces. Every candidate will be allowed to have two polling agents.
