Six sub-counties in Hoima district are operating
without a single police post.
The sub-counties are Kisukuma, Bombo, Kiganja, Kapapi,
Kijongo and Buraru.
Residents in these sub-counties demand that police posts be established in their areas to curb the increasing crime rate. They say, some of the nearby police stations are located between 15 to 20 kilometers away in Kigorobya and Hoima central police station
respectively.
Joseph Kyamanya, a resident of Buhirigi LCI in Bombo sub
county says, residents in the area trek a distance of 15kms to access police
services at Kigorobya police station.
He says, the crime rate has escalated in the area with
incidents of shop and house-break-ins being common yet residents have nowhere
to seek help.
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Patrick Wandera, a resident of Kiganja sub-county says,
criminals have infiltrated the area attacking people at night while taking advantage
of lack of police post in the area.
He says it takes long for police in Kigorobya or Hoima to
respond to crimes being committed by criminals in the area.
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Joselyne Kusiima, a resident of Kapapi sub-county explains
that they spend more than 30,000 shillings on transport to report cases at Hoima
central police station.
Ndibanoha Balikurungi, a resident of Buraru sub county
wonders why government has not bothered to establish a police post in the area
yet violent land conflict cases are in the area that requires immediate
response from the police.
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Uthman Mubarak Mugisa, the Hoima LCV Chairperson says, the
lack of police posts in the six sub counties has led to an increase in crime
rate since criminals target the Sub counties knowing that police from Hoima
would take long to respond.
He too explains that more manpower is needed to boost the few
already existing police posts and stations in the district.
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Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson
states that, they lack enough manpower to even man the few available police
posts and stations in the region.
He however says the top police management is
looking into the issue and soon a solution will be got.