Crime
Over 4,600 arrests made in New Year crackdown
According to Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, the arrestees comprise 4,039 male adults, 242 female adults, 68 male juveniles, and three female minors. Despite the significant number of arrests, Enanga commended the overall peaceful nature of the New Year’s Day celebrations, attributing the calm atmosphere to robust security deployment and collaboration with local communities in providing timely information.
The celebrations followed a recent ADF-linked attack in Kamwenge district during Christmas, where three lives were lost. The effective security measures implemented during the New Year’s events prevented any recurrence of such incidents.
Among the notable arrests, one individual was caught at Namirembe Cathedral attempting to steal a motorcycle. Meanwhile, at the Enkuka Yo’Mwaka festival at Lubiri Grounds, a person was arrested for pepper spraying a police officer near the performance stage, requiring the intervention of military police to restore order.Most arrests occurred after midnight when individuals attempted to assault those returning from entertainment and worship venues. Suspects targeted attendees of a music concert organized by musician Allien Skin at Wankulukuku stadium, as well as events held at Old Kampala playground, Sheraton, and Serena hotels, including Kyambogo.
Stephen Tanui, Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, noted extensive preparations and meetings aimed at securing and addressing criminal activities during the celebrations. At Lubiri Grounds, over 300 Field Force Unit (FFU) police, general duty police, and traffic police were deployed, supported by both covert and overt intelligence personnel.While Patrick Onyango, Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, reported a lack of major security incidents in Kampala, it was revealed that over 1,100 of the 4,649 suspects were from the Kampala Metropolitan area.
This concentration was attributed to the area hosting the largest year-end events, drawing massive crowds. Screening of the detained individuals is currently underway.
In response to last year’s tragic stampede at Freedom City Mall in Namasuba, the Inspector General of Police, Martin Ochola, issued stringent directives through the Directorate of Operations to prevent similar incidents during fireworks displays.
Via URN
