Kabarole District wants to institute a narcotic ordinance following the increasing crime rates resulting from drug abuse.
The district CID officer, Bwambale Jazmine recently released a crimes report for the period of January to June 2011 indicating a total of 1,134 cases.
Amon Rutenta, the head of the Kabarole district security committee says the district is overwhelmed by the increasing crime rates especially robbery. Rutenta attributes the problem to high consumption of narcotic drugs such as opium and mairungi as well as crude waragi.
Rutenta was speaking during the district council meeting held at Mucwa kingdom headquarters in Fort Portal on Monday.
He says many youths storm video halls and bars and begin chewing mairungi and smoking opium and later after getting drunk they terrorize the residents stealing their property, raping women and defiling under age girls.
Rutenta blames government for abolishing graduated tax, which he says has encouraged idleness among the youth. He asks councilors to forget their votes and cheap politics and work on a mairungi and opium ordinance if they are to fight crime.
Joseph Mashuhuko, another member on the security committee and councilor for Karambi Sub County says that unless the ordinance is instituted and put into implementation, insecurity will only increase.
He accuses police of releasing the suspects before being taken for trial in court, adding that this sabotages their security activities and their efforts.
Mashuhuko disclosed that they have arrested many people for robbery, rape, defilement and in connection with opium growing and distribution in the district but police connives with suspects and releases them yet they have evidence pinning them.
Gertrude Balinda, the woman councilor for Kasenda and Ruteete sub counties observed the need for immediate institution and implementation of the narcotic ordinance as the only way to fight rampant crime.
Richard Rwabuhinga the LC5 chairperson Kabarole however blamed Fort Portal police for failing and sabotaging the district security officers in doing their work.
He accuses the police of releasing the suspects before they are taken to court for trial adding that this has increased crime.
But Joseph Kihamba, the district Police Commander Kabarole noted that police has
powers to release suspects on bond if witnesses fail to come out and record statements pinning the suspects in the crime.
