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Residents in Bufunda II ward, explain that thieves hide in such corridors at night to attack people who are returning from work. [Photo: Jovita Hasto]
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By JOVITA HASTO
Residents in Ibanda District are living in fear of night thugs who have given them sleepless nights.
People in Bufunda Ward, Mpiira Street, and Main Street say it has become a challenge to walk home after work, as thieves attack them as early as 8:00 p.m. According to residents, the thugs hide in dark corridors and streets that have no streetlights. They also find Bufunda II Ward ideal for hiding because it is surrounded by banana plantations and gardens, where they wait to ambush passersby at night.
Ms. Winnie Atukwase, a vendor from Soweto Market in Bufunda II Division, says the thieves come as early as 8:00 p.m., carrying torches to check if all vendors have left before breaking into stalls to steal their property.
“We close very early so that the thieves don’t find us. They come carrying torches and check through vendors’ shops to steal,” she said.
Ms. Atukwase narrated how thieves once attacked her and took her money while she was closing her stall to go home in Katongole. “I had an order for charcoal to deliver to a client who lives along my route home. As I walked, three men attacked me, demanding money. They tore my apron and took the 40,000 shillings I had made that day before running into a banana plantation,” she said.
She added that streetlights should be installed to reduce theft in the area.
“We ask security forces to intervene. If there were lights along this place, we would be able to work beyond 8:00 p.m., but now it’s impossible,” she added.
Mr. Colleb Twinamatsiko, another resident, says the main problem is that thugs are arrested one day and released the next.
“Thieves are not only here in Bufunda but in other areas too. They steal goats, cows, motorcycles, and anything they come across. The problem is weak law enforcement. When a thief is arrested today, he is out tomorrow. I think some officers are mainly after money,” he stated.
Mr. Godwin Musinguzi, a charcoal vendor at Soweto Market in Bufunda II Ward, explains that the market’s location—surrounded by gardens and plantations—makes it easy for thieves to hide and attack people in dark corners.
“This area is very dark. Thieves who rob people from other streets come here to hide and end up stealing from us as well. We often find our firewood and sacks of charcoal stolen,” he said.
He added:
“We have been reporting such cases to the police, but we’ve failed to get help. We wonder why thieves keep coming every day yet security keeps promising to handle the situation. It would be better if lights were installed along Bitature Road for our safety.”
Boda Bodas targeted
Mr. Lazaro Mugisha, a boda boda rider from Bufunda, says riders are often targeted in that area, which puts their lives and jobs at risk. “Many boda boda riders are attacked, killed, and dumped in trenches. They steal motorcycles and phones. Even when you record a passenger’s details, it’s not a guarantee of safety—you have to think twice before carrying anyone at night,” he said.
Mr. Mugisha added that with the festive season approaching, many people could lose their belongings to night thugs, urging security agencies to act quickly.
Mr. Stephen Kazooba, the LC1 Chairperson for Bufunda II Ward in Ibanda Municipality, says thugs are increasing in the area because of the banana plantations that provide hiding places for criminals from the main streets. “Most of these thieves operate around Soweto Market, commonly known as Ekyorora. They attack people at night as they leave the market and rob them of money and other valuables. We have always carried out sensitization and asked the district to install security cameras to help in tracking down these thieves. With cameras, they can easily be captured,” he said.
Besides night patrols, Mr. Kazooba says residents often report theft cases to his office.
“We work with the police, and some thugs have been arrested. However, theft keeps increasing every day. We request more security officers to conduct night patrols because these thieves carry machetes and use them to hack people,” he said.
He also blamed some landlords for renting out houses to strangers without verifying their backgrounds.
“Some landlords care only about money and don’t ask for letters from the villages where tenants come from. This has been a challenge because they later come to report when such tenants have escaped or failed to pay rent. We ask everyone to cooperate,” he added.
Mr. Godfrey Mbetegyereize, the Ibanda District Resident Commissioner, blamed the rise in crime on leaders who fear confronting wrongdoers, saying their inaction has fueled high crime rates not only in Ibanda but across the country.
“The enjoyment of citizens’ freedoms is inseparable from responsibility. Every Ugandan should be patriotic and fight evil. Unfortunately, some leaders who should be confronting wrongdoers are not doing so, and now everyone is playing the blame game,” he said.
He added: “From my observation, leaders chosen by the people fear losing voter support, so they avoid confronting criminals. The high rate of crime is linked to drug abuse, which drives people beyond their senses and leads to theft and other crimes.”
Mr. Mbetegyereize noted that weak laws, poor parenting, and poor coordination between leaders and law enforcers have worsened the situation. “Let leaders lead, parents parent, and enforcement officers do their job. Weak laws and poor cooperation make law enforcement difficult. The government also lacks enough rehabilitation centers for offenders. Citizens should support authorities in reducing crime,” he said.
SP Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, revealed that between January and June, Ibanda District registered 327 cases. Of these, 98 were under inquiry, 14 were dropped due to lack of evidence, and 215 were taken to court.
He added that 231 cases were with the Resident State Attorney, 48 convictions were secured, and 118 cases remain pending in court.
The most common crimes included cattle theft (37 cases), theft of cash (60), phone theft (17), and motorcycle theft (16). The majority of the reported cases (210) involved general theft. Police also registered 31 robbery cases between January and June. Of these, 15 were under inquiry, 16 were taken to court, and 17 were with the Resident State Attorney. Fourteen cases were still pending in court. Most were simple robberies, accounting for 21 cases.
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