Gulu cracks down on notorious street gang
The Aswa River Region police spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema
What you need to know:
- The Aswa River Region police spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema, told journalists on Friday that the suspects were picked from Layibi, Pece and Bardege divisions.
- On June 15, a boda boda rider identified as Walter Ongom was hacked to death at his home in Aywee Sub-ward in Pece Division by four thugs.
GULU. At least 23 suspected members of a notorious street gang commonly referred to as “Aguu” in Gulu Municipality were remanded to Gulu Central Prison on Thursday.
The suspects appeared before the Gulu Magistrate court presided over by Mr Vian Kwizera.
They were arrested in a joint operation by both police and the army last week following a fight that broke out between the gangs and a vigilante group in industrial area, Layibi Division.
More than 50 street gangs, known to terrorise residents within the municipality, armed with clubs and machetes, on June 20 raided Industrial Area to exact revenge on members of the vigilante group.
The 40-man vigilante group was mobilised by Jino Otti, the local council chairperson of Industrial Area, following an upsurge in crimes in his area.
The gangs, however, accuse members of the vigilante group of being ruthless on them, prompting the revenge.
Security personnel comprising the army and police fired live bullets to contain the fight that left four people injured before arresting 15 of the suspects. Eight other suspects were arrested later in a follow up operation.
The suspects have been charged with possession of dangerous weapons, threatening violence, conspiracy to commit felony and possession of illicit drugs.
Mr Kwizera remanded the suspects till July 8 when they will appear before court.
16 more suspects arrested
Meanwhile, police have arrested more 16 suspects linked to the June 20 raid in Industrial Area.
The Aswa River Region police spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema, told journalists on Friday that the suspects were picked from Layibi, Pece and Bardege divisions.
He said the suspects are expected to appear in court and will be added on the charge sheet of those already in remand at Gulu Central Prison.
The arrest brings to 39 the total of suspected street gangs members arrested within a week.
The street gangs are accused of carrying out numerous attacks on unsuspecting boda boda riders, night commuters and house break-ins within the municipality
So far, three people have been killed within Gulu Municipality while more than eight sustained injuries after being attacked by suspected street gangs since January this year.
Background
On June 15, a boda boda rider identified as Walter Ongom was hacked to death at his home in Aywee Sub-ward in Pece Division by four thugs.
In May, Lucy Akello a fish vendor was murdered in Vanguard Parish in Pece Division.
In January year, unknown thugs stabbed to death Christine Anyeko, a daughter of the retired Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng while on her way to church.
At least four guns and an undisclosed numbers of ammunition were recovered from suspected gun traffickers in Gulu Town in March in an operation conducted by Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence [CMI] personnel.
