At least 17 people are in police custody in Luweero for allegedly defying a police order restricting night movements.
The order, instituted over a month ago, is aimed at curbing burglary and theft cases which were rampant in the towns in Luweero district.
Steven Ssemanda, the Criminal Investigations Officer Luweero district, identifies those arrested as Hassan Mubiru, Mustafa Mubiru, Moses Lubega, Jackline Katushabe, Danson Matovu, Henry Ssozi,Sharif Abiriga, Junior Kalungi, Jennifer Namuddu, and Yusuf Buyomba among others, all residents of Wobulenzi town council.
Ssemanda says that the suspects were arrested by police at 2: 00am on Tuesday from different corridors of Wobulenzi town during what he called routine night operations. Eight of the suspects were reportedly found in a notorious place called Nakadingidi, where suspected criminals are believed to hide.
Samuel Bamuzibire, the district police commander who led the operation says that police banned movements after midnight following the escalating cases of burglary and theft in major towns like Luweero, Wobulenzi and Kikyusa Sub County.
He says that they have received several complaints from residents that burglars break into their shops and houses between 10 pm and 4 am and more than 10 cases are recorded every day throughout the district.
Joseph Nsambu, the chairperson Wobulenzi Traders Association, says that several traders no longer sleep before 5am for fear of losing their merchandise. He adds that Wobulenzi town has many idle youths who wait for the night to commit crime.
Alice Nantege, a resident of Wobulenzi says that police had neglected the town and that’s why many cases are being reported.
But DPC Bamuzibire says that more than 66 suspects have been arrested in a period of one month and operations all over the district are still going on.
He says the 17 are still detained but those who will explain why they were moving at 2:00am will be set free and the rest will be taken to court to face rouge and vagabond offences.
