By KT Reporter
Police in Kiira region have started enquiries to hunt down a group of youths suspected to have looted property during protests against panga wielding men in Jinja city.
The protests resulted from the death of two individuals, suspected to have killed by panga wielding men during Tuesday night in the areas of Nakabango and Lwanda respectively, in Northern division, Jinja city.
Angry residents blocked part of the Jinja-Kamuli road in the areas of Mafubira and Namulesa, blocking traffic flow throughout the evening. They accused police authorities of reluctance to institute strict security measures, which they say to have resulted into increased cases of aggravated robbery in the area.
The residents also alleged that they had lost over five people due to aggravated robbery cases orchestrated by panga wielding men, however, little has been done to arrest the suspects.
This was further exhibited by cases of looting, with some of the ‘protesters’ resorting to plunder into shops and rob valuables unhindered.
Agnes Naguyo says that the suspects broke into her shop and stole unspecified number of phones, which is a big setback to her business.
She adds that rowdy youths stormed different shops in groups of over 20, making it hard for their victims to defend themselves from these attacksers who mostly looted electronics shops, textiles, groceries, among others, leaving them helpless, unable to fight back.
Hassan Waiswa says that the rowdy youths stormed his timber shop, fleeing with his machinery and pieces of finished furniture. He says that he attempted to block the youths from looting his property in vain, since they were armed with sharp objects and they overpowered his staff of three.
Waiswa had resolved to photographing the perpetrators, however, on noticing his actions, they beat him up and grabbed his smart phone.
The Kiira regional police spokesperson, James Mubi says that, they condemn all the actions by the youths as illegal and contrary to the public order management act, which clearly stipulates guidelines on how best aggrieved parties can hold meetings without disrupting others’ activiies and life.
Mubi has assured the victims of justice, noting that, their investigating teams are committed towards hunting down all suspects involved within the shortest time possible. He further challenged members of the general public to desist from unlawful protests, noting that, such activities create room for wrong elements to commit crimes unhindered.
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