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By Our Reporter
PALLISA – The State Ministers for Fisheries and Transport, Hellen Adoa (Serere District Woman MP) and Musa Ecweru (Amuriat County MP), have called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba to take urgent action against the rising lawlessness among youth in the Teso subregion.
Speaking during the burial of Mary Magdalene Aine Odomel, wife of former IGP John Cossy Odomel, at Amusiat Village in Pallisa District, the ministers voiced concerns over the growing unrest caused by the region’s youth. Mary Odomel passed away on September 26, 2024, after a battle with cancer.
The late Mary Aine Odomel
Minister Adoa lamented the decline in youth behavior, highlighting that many young people in Teso, once full of potential, are now engaging in criminal activities and gambling.
“These youths snatch, rob, rape, steal, torture, and kill. They even set up illegal roadblocks,” Adoa said, calling on the police to take decisive action. She also criticized parents for neglecting their role in instilling societal values in their children.
"I am not here as a minister but as someone who has benefited from the good morals instilled by Mama Odomel, who raised disciplined children, which is why her family is successful," Adoa added.
Hellen Adoa
Ecweru stressed that the government, which fought for peace and stability, could not allow youth to jeopardize the security of the region. He urged police to use reasonable force and physical engagement to extract information and restore order.
“These unruly youth need firm handling, and the courts must expedite sentencing to get them off the streets and into prison, where they can be put to productive use,” Ecweru emphasized.
Turning to the late Mary Odomel's husband, Ecweru urged Capt. Mike Mukula to advocate for John Cossy Odomel’s appointment to a government commission or board, citing his wealth of experience and service to the nation.
Minister Muhoozi was present at the burial of Mary Odomel
IGP Byakagaba, representing both the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force, assured the mourners that addressing the youth unrest would be a priority for law enforcement.
“There is no way these young people can be left to cause insecurity, especially now that the government is focused on eradicating poverty,” Byakagaba affirmed. He also conveyed a condolence message from Minister of Internal Affairs Rtd. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, along with a UGX 10 million contribution to the burial expenses.
Capt. Mukula, in his address, commended Ecweru for his leadership in dismantling rebel activity and ending cattle rustling in the region. He promised to relay the request for Odomel’s appointment to President Museveni.
Paul Sande Emolot, the cultural leader of the Iteso, called on the Iteso community to uphold their traditional values and preserve the dignity of their tribe.
John Cossy Odomel, in his remarks, expressed deep gratitude to all mourners and thanked the Uganda Police Force for their financial support, including an additional UGX 5 million contribution toward burial expenses.
