Land row fuelling murders - police

Factors. Domestic violence and land row cited as major causes but police appeals to all stakeholders to join the fight against murders and road accidents.

Land wrangles and domestic violence are fuelling murder cases in South Western Uganda, the police have said.

Releasing the 2012 annual crime report, the regional police commander, Mr Martin Abilu, said Mbarara topped the list of homicides (murder) with 70 cases followed by Kiruhura 40, Isingiro 38, Ntungamo 36 and Ibanda, eight.

“These statistics are very worrying and we have intensified community policing together with the local leaders to see how we can check this wave of crime,” Mr Abilu said.

He added that more police posts would be established and Special Police Constables deployed in crime-prone areas.

Last month, Mbarara District Chairperson Deus Tumusiime said conflicts are fuelled by poverty and alcoholism.

Mr Abilu also noted that accidents in the region have continued to rise, with 222 deaths recorded last year, with more than 15 deaths recorded every month.

“Despite police presence on major roads and highways, we continue to lose many people in accidents...”

Appeals made
“We have, as means of checking on this, made appeal to several stakeholders like school managers and administrators, local, religious and civic leaders, taxi and cyclists to join police in the crusade.”

Mr Abilu added that they have also appealed to the Uganda National Roads Authority to construct humps at the black spots especially along the Mbarara-Masaka road.

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