More than 100 young people suspected of involvement in criminal activities have been arrested in Kitgum Municipality in the past month as security intensifies a crackdown on the growing street crime.
Jimmy Segawa Ebil, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner and District Security Committee chairperson, said that the suspects are being processed through the courts for possible conviction.
“Within the court process, we have over 100 young people we have arrested in the last one month in Kitgum Municipality alone,” Ebil said.
He said security was responding to concerns over the prevalence of Aguu, a term in northern Uganda for groups of young people involved in street violence, theft and other forms of criminal activity.
Ebil’s remarks came after the recent discovery of the body of an unidentified man in Gang Dyang cell, Pandwong Division. He said the unidentified male adult was found dead in the area but security had not established his identity or located his relatives.
He said the body had since been buried, but security could facilitate the exhumation and hand over of the remains to relatives if a family member comes forward and confirms the deceased’s identity.
“We request that anybody within the community in Kitgum who has lost a relative, a male adult, needs to come to security,” he said.
Ebil urged residents to strengthen neighbourhood watch and remain vigilant about people moving into their communities as part of efforts to curb crime.
“If the community is vigilant about neighbourhood watch and who is around their areas, they will help us identify and fight crime,” Ebil said.
Patience Adong, a resident of Acutomer Cell in Pandwong Divison, commended the security for their recent attempts to weed out the criminal gangs, but appealed for manpower at police outposts.
According to Adong, the inadequate manpower has left several divisions vulnerable to burglaries, night ambushes, and petty crimes.
“The limited number of officers at local posts makes quick emergency response difficult, especially during nighttime patrols,” Adong said.
Johnson Odur, a resident of Lulojo Cell, argued that while security has maintained focus on broader regional challenges like cattle rustling and human-wildlife conflicts along district borders, urban and neighborhood safety also require immediate reinforcement.
“Delayed responses to reported crimes have made the criminals bold,” Odur said. “Security should do regular impromptu patrols with the municipality and not wait until there ate reported incidences.” According to the crime report of 2025/2026, at least 1,106 crimes were recorded in Kitgum-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
