1,400 suspected criminals arrested during Christmas season

Mr Frank Mwesigwa

KAMPALA- As Christians marked Christmas day, more than 1,400 people suspected to be lawbreakers were languishing in various police cells.

The suspects were arrested by police in Kampala Metropolitan Area during a crackdown on suspected thugs suspected who have been terrorising city dwellers.

Mr Frank Mwesigwa, the Kampala Metropolitan Police commander said the suspects were arrested between December 23 and December 25, 2017 over their alleged involvement in crimes like burglary and drug abuse.

He said 250 out of 1,400 suspects were arrested for allegedly abusing drugs like cocaine, marijuana, khati, shisha and heroine, among others.

“We deployed overt and covert officers and we collaborated with vigilant civilians who helped us to ensure that the Christmas season was peaceful,” Mr Mwesigwa said.

Mr Mwesigwa said Kampala South regional Police Division (Katwe) recorded the highest number of arrests with more than 400 suspects in detention followed by Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) where 300 suspects were detained.

Detectives at Kalerwe Police, in Kawempe Division arrested at least 100 suspects over theft and drug abuse.

The Kalerwe operation was launched after several market vendors cried out to the police about people who were stealing their wallets, phones in addition to breaking into their shops and stalls.

Mr Mwesigwa said the 1,400 suspects are detained at the 18 police divisions in Kampala Metropolitan Area that covers Kampala City, Wakiso and Mukono districts.

The 18 police divisions include CPS, Katwe, Wandegeya, Old Kampala, Kawempe, Jinja Road, Kira Road, Kira Division, Nsangi, Nansana, Kakiri, Entebbe, Mukono and Wakiso.

Mr Mwesigwa said the suspect would be taken to court within the course of the week.
Police said only two incidents of defilement and robbery were recorded in the three days but no deaths by shooting, hacking, stabbing, poisoning and strangulation were registered.

“Entebbe beaches have always been a threat to swimmers on such big days were under close supervision and we did not register any case of drowning. Revellers followed instructions and no one was allowed to swim after 6 pm,” Mr Mwesigwa said.

Two years ago, 13 bodies were retrieved from Sports, Spinnah, and Aero and Lido beaches in Entebbe.
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