Kawempe Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Yasin Ndidde, has blamed the increased criminality in the Kampala Metropolitan Area on the continuous interference from politicians who always come out to defend the arrested criminals, calling them political prisoners.
Ndidde made the remarks on a local TV talk show on May 28, 2024, while commenting on the surge of criminal activity in Kampala, as evidenced by various viral videos showing how unsuspecting locals are clobbered and robbed of their belongings by youthful goons.
He noted that whenever criminals are arrested, politicians often interfere with the prosecution process and defend criminals by alleging that they are being politically persecuted, a vice that has left several criminals at large.
A list of alleged political prisoners recently presented by the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party includes several individuals who were arrested for crimes ranging from simple robbery to armed robbery. Nonetheless, NUP has continued calling for their unconditional release, substantiating the Deputy RCC’s argument.
Ndidde also pointed out the shortage of juvenile detention facilities and negligence by parents as some of the crime-fueling factors, since according to him, the biggest percentage of those terrorizing locals in the Kampala metropolitan region are between the ages of 12 and 22.
However, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Donald Muhwezi, the Community Liaison Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Area, who was speaking during the same show, called on the masses to play their role in ensuring security since everyone is a stakeholder.
“Security involves several stakeholders. Thinking that maintaining law and order and ensuring personal security is solely the responsibility of security bodies is a mistake; we must work together,” Muhwezi stated.
He assured the public that the criminals terrorizing locals will be dealt with decisively since, over the years, security has managed to eliminate several gangs like Kifesi, B13, and others who were causing havoc in the area.
