89 arrested in Masaka, Police say calm restored

PIC: Police spokesperson Asan Kasingye addressing the media at Uganda Media Centre on Monday. (Credit: Mary Kansiime)

KAMPALA - Police has assured the public that the situation in Masaka is now calm following the recent insecurity that broke out where people were hacked and women raped.

Asan Kasingye, the Police spokesperson, said over 89 suspects have been arrested, 33 appeared in different courts of law and others being investigated. He said 19 are expected to appear in courts this week.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday afternoon, Kasingye said Army and Police have embraced community policing as a way of cracking down criminals behind the attacks as well as preventing any future occurrence of the incidents.

Unknown people distributed papers bearing messages of planned attacks in Kasijagirwa village near the UPDF Armoured Brigade Barracks, Kijabwemi, Kimaanya, Buwunga, Nyendo, Ssazza, Kabonela and Kingo in Masaka and Lwengo districts.

Kasingye however said there are joint security patrols between Police and UPDF in the area as well as intelligence gathering so as to arrest more of the suspects. He blamed sections of locals for not giving Police information before crime is committed.

"We have also established a toll free line (080019999) for people to call and give information as fast as possible. Sometimes people don't call due to lack of airtime," he stated.

He also warned travellers to South Sudan that use the Nimule-Juba Highway saying there have been cases of robberies and asked them to always travel in convoys to prevent attacks.