Police laziness blamed for insecurity in Serere
Feb 09, 2017
Justine Etoori of Sambwa village said locals and business people are robbed of their properties everyday while police are just doing nothing.
Residents in Pingire sub-county in Serere district have blamed the police for the increased cases of insecurity owing to their laziness.
The residents now want officers who have been working in the area for a long time to be transferred since they are sleeping on their job, leaving gangs to terrorize business people and rob them of their belongings.
Haron Otukei the LC1 chairperson Omiriai village said that police have failed to protect properties and lives of area residents by failing to track criminals destabilizing security in the area.
"The police and their community policing officers are doing nothing; just sleeping at their work"
Justine Etoori of Sambwa village said locals and business people are robbed of their properties everyday while police are just doing nothing.
According to him, the issue of insecurity in Pingire has been increasing at a very fast rate for the last six months and that locals are living in fear because they don't know when the criminals will strike.
Robert Engole one of the shopper operators at Odoputu trading center revealed that there are several thugs in this sub-county terrorizing business people and residents before escaping on motorcycles and so the issue is forcing traders to close their businesses early.
Diana Anigo cited the recent robbery incident at Omiriai trading center on Thursday where unidentified thugs broke into four shops and stole valuables worth a tune of 3million Shs.
"It is very clear that the matter is caused by officers who have been in this area for a long time and are doing nothing to protect our people. Get them out of here and bring new people," she added.
However, Osakan Akol the OC Pingire police station said they are getting challenges while tackling the insecurity issue since residents are not willing to surrender information to the police.
"It's true the gang has been terrorizing business people in the area but locals are not helping us with information so it's a bit challenging but we are trying our best," said Akol.
He said that they are following crucial leads which may lead to the arrest of the suspects of the recent incident