Woman raped, murdered on Jinja Street

Police officers picked the body and took it to Jinja Hospital Mortuary.  PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA

JINJA-Police in Jinja District are investigating the murder of a woman whose body was  dumped in a corridor between Main Street and Gabula Road in Jinja Municipality on Saturday morning.

The victim, who hasn’t been identified, is feared to have been raped and killed while returning from a night out.

Her body that bore deep cuts on the face and neck was taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary.

Mr Ayasi Kibuka, a boda boda rider at Bata Stage on Main Street Jinja Town, said police are reluctant to carry out night patrols, an attitude which is working in the criminals' favour.

“Having streets lights in town has stopped police from patrolling the streets at night. They [police] now concentrate on guarding home of people they perceive to be wealthy, leaving locals at the mercy of these criminals," Mr Ayasi said.

Mr Peter Kimuli, another boda boda operator, said Local Defence Unit officers who were recently recruited to assist police in fighting insecurity in towns across the country, are not deployed in some districts like Jinja.

Jinja District Resident District Commissioner, Mr Eric Sakwa, who is the head of security in the district, said criminals have infiltrated the town.

 “During a security meeting, I informed the regional police commander to have both foot and motorised patrols at night, but to my surprise, I was not taken seriously,” Mr Sakwa said. "I am going to order for the immediate withdrawal of all police officers working who t night clubs. Owners of such places should get private security personnel who will be guided by a police officer on what to do instead of deploying six police officers to guard drunkards who contribute nothing to development."

He named Gabula, Wilson, Kiira, Lubas and Kirinya Roads, all in Jinja Town, and some parts of Bugembe as black spots where criminals waylay their unsuspecting victims at night and unleash terror on them.