Karamoja Police register 400 cases monthly
Oct 27, 2009
THE Police register about 400 criminal cases monthly in the Karamoja sub-region due to the increased community policing. The communities have now realised the usefulness of the Police in the restoration of law and order in their areas, according to the P
By Olandason Wanyama
THE Police register about 400 criminal cases monthly in the Karamoja sub-region due to the increased community policing. The communities have now realised the usefulness of the Police in the restoration of law and order in their areas, according to the Police public relations officer, George Obia.
“They now run to the Police to report illegal incidences to seek our intervention,†Obia said. He made the disclosure at Moroto Police headquarters on Sunday.
Obia added that most of the cases the Police receive were assault-related and threatening violence. “These cases stem from overdrinking alcohol,†he said.
“With the disarmament exercise still going on, the communities will soon hate the culture of the gun which has retarded development in the area.†Obia said in the past, the Police system in the sub-region had broken down but it had now been revitalised.
He said the Police were opening up posts in sub-counties. The resident district commissioner, Nahaman Ojwee, said the communities had resorted to traditional justice as a result of frustration.
“Reported criminal cases were never pursued hence it was risky for volunteers to report criminals who would revenge on them,†he said.
He said the restoration of law and order in the region had restored public confidence in the Police, which is why several cases are now being reported at the various posts.
The general security situation in Karamoja sub-region is greatly improving, going by the decline in cattle raids. Since the launch of the disarmament programme by President Yoweri Museveni in 2001, over 30,000 illegal guns have been retrieved from the community.
However, despite this, some Karimojong warriors with illegal guns are still destabilise the region through inter-clan and cross-border raids which result in the loss of lives and property.
THE Police register about 400 criminal cases monthly in the Karamoja sub-region due to the increased community policing. The communities have now realised the usefulness of the Police in the restoration of law and order in their areas, according to the Police public relations officer, George Obia.
“They now run to the Police to report illegal incidences to seek our intervention,†Obia said. He made the disclosure at Moroto Police headquarters on Sunday.
Obia added that most of the cases the Police receive were assault-related and threatening violence. “These cases stem from overdrinking alcohol,†he said.
“With the disarmament exercise still going on, the communities will soon hate the culture of the gun which has retarded development in the area.†Obia said in the past, the Police system in the sub-region had broken down but it had now been revitalised.
He said the Police were opening up posts in sub-counties. The resident district commissioner, Nahaman Ojwee, said the communities had resorted to traditional justice as a result of frustration.
“Reported criminal cases were never pursued hence it was risky for volunteers to report criminals who would revenge on them,†he said.
He said the restoration of law and order in the region had restored public confidence in the Police, which is why several cases are now being reported at the various posts.
The general security situation in Karamoja sub-region is greatly improving, going by the decline in cattle raids. Since the launch of the disarmament programme by President Yoweri Museveni in 2001, over 30,000 illegal guns have been retrieved from the community.
However, despite this, some Karimojong warriors with illegal guns are still destabilise the region through inter-clan and cross-border raids which result in the loss of lives and property.