Police comb Kisenyi for narcotics

By Eddie Ssejjoba                 

The anti-narcotics police raided a number of shops in Kisenyi, recovered sedative drugs and arrested a number of suspected dealers.

Sources within police revealed that the operation was carried out following intelligence information that many high-ranking officials, including politicians, frequent shops in the busy hub in downtown Kampala to buy illicit drugs.

Deputy police spokesman, Vincent Ssekate said that basing on intelligence information, police sent a team to Muzaana Zone that sealed off some places said to be the origin of the drugs.

A sniffer dog was used during the operation in which cocaine, processed and packed marijuana, Benzene and Fina (aviation fuel) and packing materials for the drugs were found in a number of shops.

Lemo, one of the suspected drug dealers, sneaked away on a tip off but the police arrested his wife identified only as Brenda Nabakooza.

She aided the police to search their shop where officers recovered 300 sticks and other 168 rolled cannabis ready for sale, plus packing materials.

Her neighbor, a one Ali, is the owner of Aldo and Sons Shop. He also took off but the police netted his young brother, Badru Ssentamu who aided the police to search the place. They recovered a number of exhibits.

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Some of the drugs packed and ready for sale confiscated from Kisenyi shops in Kampala. PHOTO/Eddie Ssejjoba

Police also arrested Shamim Nabimanya, known around the area as Big Mummy. She is said to be a popular supplier of narcotic drugs to many dealers.

Police recovered 36 packs of processed drugs including Gizeh – an imported drug – in a shop where the owner managed to evade arrest. Some of the drugs were packed in packs of other goods like cigarettes but the police used a sniffer dog to uncover them. 

The area Local Council chairman, Mutebi Jjuuko witnessed the operation and said selling of marijuana was widespread all over Kampala and its suburbs.

“It is not only here in Kisenyi that people deal in drugs. Go to Wandegeya, Kamwokya, Bakuli, Nakulabye, Bwaise, Katwe. People are selling and buying the drugs openly everywhere,” he observed.

Without mentioning names, Jjuuko said that even legislators buy the drugs from these spots, which he said had made it difficult to fight since it involves “big [influential] people”.

“I appeal to MPs who do not use these drugs to revise laws punishing culprits, otherwise, many have been arrested but they get released after paying a simple fine and revive the practice,” he said.

Police also rounded up 29 street boys and confiscated some of the aviation fuel they sniff. The street boys are said to terrorize residents and travellers near the newly set up taxi parks.

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The police rounded up several street children in Kisenyi who were buying and sniffing fuel. PHOTO/Eddie Ssejjoba

Commenting on the street boys, Jjuuko appealed to government to deal with Non-government Organizations (NGOs) that give handouts to these children, which he said had enticed many to remain on the streets.

“Government should collect and confine these children but many are enticed to stay on the streets because of small handouts,” he said.

When they were told they would be taken to Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Center in Mpigi, most of the street kids laughed it off, saying they would still find their way back.