100 Karimojong street kids rounded up
Jan 13, 2009
OVER 100 Karimojong street children were on Monday night rounded-up by the Police in Kampala and taken to Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre in Mpigi district.
By Eddie Ssejjoba
OVER 100 Karimojong street children were on Monday night rounded-up by the Police in Kampala and taken to Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre in Mpigi district. The children’s mothers and elderly women were arrested as they tried to save them.
The Police also netted 57 suspected vagabonds and homeless people.
The Central Division Police Commander, Steven Tanui, said the children were aged between one and 17 years.
The operation was carried out on the Entebbe Road junction, Jinja Road, Burton and Ben Kiwanuka streets, Bata Mini Price, Biwologoma, Hotel Equatorial and the Clock Tower. Tanui said some of the children had knives and turned violent as they resisted arrest.
“These children have been giving a bad image to the country because they at times snatch items like phones, bags and money from cars and taxis, especially in traffic jams,†he said.
Tanui expressed concern that the number of street children was increasing in the city.
“When we would pick the young ones, their guardians would dash out of their hideout to protect them,†he said.
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the operation would continue until the city is rid of street children.
She said the Police had held discussions with officials from Kampala City Council and the Ministry of Gender on how to sustain the children in the remand home.
“We are taking them for resettlement at Kampiringisa but unlike before when they have been returning due to lack of food and other facilities, this time we have provided for them and we expect them to stay until they are rehabilitated,†Nabakooba said.
She added that many had become criminals and needed to be cared for and counselled to change.
Those above 18 years, including 95-year-old Farasiko Kanyambo, were taken to the Nsangi sub-county court, where they would face various charges, Nabakooba said.
OVER 100 Karimojong street children were on Monday night rounded-up by the Police in Kampala and taken to Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre in Mpigi district. The children’s mothers and elderly women were arrested as they tried to save them.
The Police also netted 57 suspected vagabonds and homeless people.
The Central Division Police Commander, Steven Tanui, said the children were aged between one and 17 years.
The operation was carried out on the Entebbe Road junction, Jinja Road, Burton and Ben Kiwanuka streets, Bata Mini Price, Biwologoma, Hotel Equatorial and the Clock Tower. Tanui said some of the children had knives and turned violent as they resisted arrest.
“These children have been giving a bad image to the country because they at times snatch items like phones, bags and money from cars and taxis, especially in traffic jams,†he said.
Tanui expressed concern that the number of street children was increasing in the city.
“When we would pick the young ones, their guardians would dash out of their hideout to protect them,†he said.
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the operation would continue until the city is rid of street children.
She said the Police had held discussions with officials from Kampala City Council and the Ministry of Gender on how to sustain the children in the remand home.
“We are taking them for resettlement at Kampiringisa but unlike before when they have been returning due to lack of food and other facilities, this time we have provided for them and we expect them to stay until they are rehabilitated,†Nabakooba said.
She added that many had become criminals and needed to be cared for and counselled to change.
Those above 18 years, including 95-year-old Farasiko Kanyambo, were taken to the Nsangi sub-county court, where they would face various charges, Nabakooba said.