350 arrested in crackdown on early morning drinking

Gunfire and teargas rocked Nakiwondye trading centre in Budadiri East, Sironko district,  as residents tried to block police from cracking down on early morning drinking and gambling.

The operation started as early as 8:00 am in Sironko town council where a number of youth were arrested from bars and video halls while others were got playing cards.

Those arrested were canned strokes by the RDC in front of their children and parents as others cheered.Paul Watala, the New vision reporter who was covering the operation, sustained an injury on his right leg.

A total of 358 suspects were arrested in the crackdown led by Moses Kigai Wamoto, the Sironko Resident District Commissioner.

Some of those arrested include school going children who were found watching movies in video halls. Some of them were as young as seven years old.

According to Kigai, the operation was due to the rampant gambling and the many people involved in early morning drinking. He said instead of utilising the current rains to engage in productive agricultural activities, most residents had turned to gambling and  drinking.