Security lapses under scrutiny after Mbarara mayor office break-in

MBARARA - The deputy resident city commissioner of Mbarara City North Division, Jacqueline Kankunda, has called on police in the division to conduct thorough investigations into a break-in at the division offices.

Unknown individuals broke into the offices of Mbarara City North Division mayor, Gumisiriza Kyabwisho, on the night of April 14.

The intruders made off with two central processing units (CPUs), a television screen from the reception, photocopies of land titles for public land, and other personal documents.

Kankunda, who also serves as chairperson of the division’s security committee, blamed the incident on police laxity. She expressed concern that the break-in happened despite the presence of a police post within the same compound, and officers being on duty at the time, yet the crime went unnoticed.

“Investigations should focus on the staff in the division as well as the police officers who were on duty. We suspect this incident involves an insider who knew where the keys were kept. The suspects accessed the building housing the community offices, got the keys, opened the main entrance, took what they wanted, and then proceeded to break into the mayor’s office,” she explained.

Kankunda added that the incident had prompted them to reconsider their security measures. She said she had agreed with the mayor and town clerk to purchase and install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for surveillance as police continue with investigations.

Mayor Kyabwisho said he was informed of the incident at about 6:50 am and rushed to the office, where he found police officers and the canine unit already on the scene—but unable to trace the suspects.

“When I learnt about the incident, I rushed to the office and found that police officers and the canine were already at the scene but could not track the thieves. I was shocked to find that thugs targeted only my office and the reception. It seems they wanted information from my office. If they wanted money, they would have broken into the offices of the treasurer and town clerk, but they did not,” he explained.

The mayor further questioned how the incident occurred without police intervention, noting that the suspects even managed to switch off the power during the break-in, yet the officers on duty failed to notice or respond.

“We expect police officers who were on duty will help us in investigations. We shall also engage our IT team to restore the stolen data because we have a back-up, so that we continue working and serve the public,” he assured.

Kyabwisho has been fighting land grabbers in the division, where he recently secured 18 titles for public land that he had rescued. He suspects that the stolen land titles were among the documents kept in his office.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed that the incident occurred on Monday night when unidentified individuals gained access to the office where the keys were kept. They then proceeded to the Mayor's office, from which they took two CPUs, a television set, and several documents.

Kasasira said no arrests have been made so far, but an inquiry has been opened, and investigations are ongoing.