100 teenagers arrested in night clubs police operation

Police in Kitgum District are holding 110 teenagers who were arrested while attending night events on Friday night.

The suspects who are mostly students had just returned home for the third term holidays.

They were picked from hotels and night clubs that hosted "corporate" night dances in the municipality.

Mr Robert Ogen, the officer in charge of criminal investigations at Kitgum Central Police Station says the arrest is in line with the district’s education ordinance that bars children from going to night clubs and bars.

The education ordinance that was approved in 2009, gives legal backing to district authoritie to arrest children found in bars.

Those who admit them to night clubs and bars are also treated by police, as people who are sabotaging the future of teenagers.

Mr  Ogen said  that the teenagers were picked from Gates Bar, The Dream Bar and Bomah Hotel, while others were found in various bars in Alango East and Labuje.

He said that the suspects are being screened to ascertain their particulars.

 “We shall detain them as we wait for a decision of district leaders,” Mr Ogen  said.

The Friday night operation follows a resolution by district leaders to curb cases of teenage pregnancy and marriages, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, poor academic performance and the rising number of school dropouts in the area.

 Kitgum District chairperson, Mr  Jackson Omona last week said that teenagers found in bars and other entertainment centres would be subjected to community service.

Night events hosted mostly every last Friday of the month are popular in Kitgum District and attract big crowds.

Local leaders say that teenagers attend such events due to lack of parents’ guidance and limited regulations by leaders.