Over 50 arrested in operations to curb street crime in Soroti

Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police in Soroti have netted 57 suspects in a swoop aimed at stemming street crime. The crackdown stemmed from a general outcry in Soroti city about the criminality around the city center, especially in the areas of Town Talks, Bus Park, Pioneer Ward as well as Children’s Park.

Police picked up one suspect on Wednesday night, 33 on Tuesday night while 23 others were rounded up last month. Oscar Gregg Ageca, the East Kyoga Region Police spokesman says that the operations that started on May 23 will continue until sanity is restored in the city.

“CPS Soroti mounted an operation on street gangs commonly referred to as Cokoras where several persons including six male juveniles have been arrested. The juveniles have been handed over to the probation office as provided for under the law,” Ageca said.

He notes that some of the suspects were found with opium and UPDF uniforms. “They will be charged for being in possession of government stores and under the Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 2016. They are currently detained at CPS Soroti pending their arraignment before the courts of judicature”, he added.

According to Ageca, 23 of the suspects in custody have been remanded to prison after appearing before the Soroti Grade 1 Magistrate Court. “We like to reiterate that childhood is the most important phase of human life. It is the duty of all stakeholders to lay a foundation for successful adult life for these street kids since their lived experiences ultimately affect society as a whole”, Ageca said in a comment.

The suspects are currently in court awaiting trial. There has been a new wave of petty theft in Soroti city targeting women, the elderly, and business persons. The perpetuators, mainly young adults grab women’s bags, steal property, and sometimes assault their targets.

In some instances, the suspected thieves are lynched by mobs. On Thursday morning, a pair survived death after a mob descended on them over the theft of a turkey.

The lucky pair comprising Richard Okello and his nephew James Ecou were caught stealing a turkey belonging to John Odiki of Madudu cell in Soroti City East Division.

They were rescued by the police who rushed to the scene.

*****

URN