By Aulah Najjuuka
In the shadows of society lies a sinister truth, one that haunts communities and shatters the very fabric of safety and trust. As the sun sets and darkness envelopes the cityscape, a chilling phenomenon takes hold—the surge of crime.
Mukono Municipality is 21 km east of Kampala along the Kampala-Jinja Highway. Mukono, as one of the biggest municipalities in the country, is expected to be one of those that are developing fast. UBOS also puts forward that the highest population is of operatives of the central market, traders, and transport operatives, including students of the prestigious Uganda Christian University, taxi drivers, and boda boda riders, making it clear that locals aren’t in the most admirable financial situation.
The local government claims that there are adequate job opportunities for the locals due to the gazetted areas such as the central market and the Kampala-Jinja highway, which the locals highly disagree with.
In an exclusive interview with a local whose identity cannot be disclosed due to his influence, he stated that the local government has failed to create job opportunities for the youth, which has rendered them jobless, hence the alarming crime rate.
“Mukono is run by educated people, so it’s a big problem for those who have not attained the required level of education, and the local government has failed to cater for the uneducated population, leaving a lot of youths unemployed and thus forcing them to a life of crime such as robbery.” He said
He also added that the common occupations for the uneducated masses include market vendors in the central market, boda boda riders, taxi drivers and conductors, retail shop keepers, supermarket owners, and others who are educated, such as medics from Health Centre IV, pharmaceutical companies, and university students.
The Head of Laity at St. Jude Catholic Church Nakisunga, Mr. Tonny Mukasa Sserujja, said suspected armed gangs broke into the church and stole a newly acquired public address system, among other valuables valued at millions of shillings, last Thursday.
“We need a thorough investigation regarding the thugs that are targeting our homes, businesses, and worship places. We have some idle youths that always hang around outside the church, and they don’t look like they are any good.”
Majid IJosiga, an askari at Precious Hotel Kauga, a village in Mukono, was a victim of what looked like a gang of four “boys” who hit him with a Mutayiimbwa (iron bar), forcing him to lose balance and fall to the ground at around 11:40 p.m.
“I tried calling for help, but I was powerless at the moment, and no one was on the road. They checked me, took my money and phone, and disappeared in the bushes on the pathway.” Narrates Majid
He continues saying that “the unemployed youth (bavubuka) are the leading criminals in this area. They don’t want to strive or work hard from scratch, so they wait for those that have made their “small money” at crossroads and rob them of what they have gained through the day, threatening to take their lives.”
However much these intimidations were laid, the cries of the locals increased, to the extent of including students of the prestigious UCU who claim that the “thieves” no longer come for just their belongings but also for their bodies.
In an interview with Abigail Munezero, a 2nd year journalism student at UCU, she narrated how she encountered a thief who entered through her hostel window that wasn’t completely shut.
“He got in, stepped on the bed, and when he realised I was awake, he got out a knife and took all my money, phone, and laptop, but when he tried to force himself on me, I made a loud noise, and he jumped out of the window and disappeared. My neighbours from the upper flow heard, and the UCU police were notified.” Abigail exclaimed.
Another student victim was Omar Nanima, a 4th year law student at UCU, as he was ambushed while his boda was parked. Due to the critical state he was in, he was in no shape for an interview and was forced to interview his next of kin, Bashir Nanima, his brother, where he blamed the police for its reluctance towards the reports and apprehending these criminals.
“My brother was badly wounded, and we spent unexpected money on his treatment. Valuable stuff was stolen from him, but when we went to the police and made a statement, nothing was done, and we never got feedback.” Bashir commented.
On speaking to the closest police associate available, one Deputy CID, Kibirango George, who also happens to be the investigative officer in the Abigail Munezeros case, on a confidential phone call, he stated that the people who report the cases are sometimes reluctant to follow up on those cases, especially when it requires monetary intervention.
“People report cases to the police and don’t follow up on them to find out what next, especially when you tell them to include money to facilitate the investigations.”
He also added that the leading crimes in Mukono division include theft, aggravated robbery, murder affiliated with domestic violence, and many others due to the high rate of ignorance among the unemployed youth.
“Even when they give them money to start small-scale businesses, they render it weak because they don’t want to start from scratch, and that overwhelming laziness among people is the leading cause of crimes in Mukono division.” Mr. Kibirango added
