Four suspect arrested in Kisoro gang crackdown

KISORO - The territorial police in Kisoro district have arrested four suspected criminals linked to a gang that has been terrorising residents within the municipality.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, confirmed that the operation was carried out jointly by police and army officers at around 2:00am on October 14, 2025, in Rukyerubuga cell, Southern Division, Kisoro Municipality.

The suspects were identified as Innocent Nkurunziza, Enock Niyigaba, Julius Niringiyimana, and Marvin Ainebyona.

During the search of their homes, police recovered suspected stolen items, including three motorcycles with registration numbers 242DA, 269DH, and 051FX, three mattresses, and a set of speakers.

“These suspects could not account for the recovered property,” said Maate, adding that similar operations have been ongoing to reduce cases of robberies where residents are attacked near their homes or along roads.

Police have called on residents who might have been victims of robbery to visit Kisoro Central Police Station to help identify their property.

“Community cooperation is key in bringing these suspects to justice,” Maate emphasised.

Gangs regrouping

In 2023, several Kampala-based gangs, including One Bullet One Man, We Rule Mbale City, and Rich Gang, were found to be regrouping in Mbale after fleeing security crackdowns in the central region (Kampala).

Some of these gangs have been linked to violent school raids in Wakiso and Kasangati, including thefts and attacks on guards.

At least 38 suspects were arrested and charged as police cleared gangs off the streets across the country. Since 2018, security agencies led by police have dismantled 42 gangs.

According to police sources, gangs are now adopting leader-based names rather than catchy group labels to avoid detection.

A senior detective involved in the 2019 anti-gang operation said, “They’ve evolved. They no longer want attention. They want fear and invisibility.”

Crime report

According to police crime reports, child-related offences accounted for 4.3% of all crimes in 2024. A total of 9,408 cases involving children were recorded, a slight decrease from 10,741 in 2023.

However, the nature of the crimes is changing from petty thefts to deadly assaults. The Sipi region, which includes Mbale, recorded 544 child-related offences, the third highest in the country.

Despite arrests and court proceedings, thousands of these cases remain under investigation, pointing to the complexity and scale of the crisis.