The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Amuru, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Security personnel in Amuru are hunting for ringleaders of yet another youth group accused of terrorizing residents in the district.
Code-named ‘Mac Wangi’, an Acholi phrase that loosely translates as ‘Fire Burns You’, the errant youth have been waylaying residents, raping girls and breaking into shops.
A list compiled by Odur village Local Council officials in the newly created Guruguru sub county identified some of the offenders who disguise themselves as a youth farmers group in the area as Reagan Okello, Osama Sunday Kaggwa, Michael Ocula, Brian Okot and Ronald Opwonya among others.
Alex Olweny, a concerned resident revealed that the gang members smoke marijuana and drink alcohol beyond curfew restricted times because there are no security personnel to patrol Parabongo trading centre.
Led by Reagan Okello, the group also attacked the home of Michael Oyet, the village LCI secretary accusing him of masterminding their arrest on trumped-up criminal cases. Okello was later arrested and charged for malicious damage to property and criminal trespass.
He was arraigned before Amuru Grade I Magistrate court and later remanded to Otwe government prison while his accomplices remain at large.
Jonathan Apuwae, the Amuru District Police Commander revealed that they are hunting for other members of the group.
Geoffrey Oceng Osborn, the Resident District Commissioner says that they have resolved to crack down on the group members for destabilizing the peace and security of the residents, especially around Parabongo trading centre, along the Gulu-Nimule highway.
In February this year, police also battled gang groups code-named; Mapari Meni and Abut Squad gangs who terrorized residents of Olwal trading centre causing fear.
At least 20 members of the gang including their ring leaders were arrested and penalized for their actions. The gangs are a replica of the ‘B-13’ group that first terrorized residents in neighboring Gulu city, Kitgum municipality and Lamwo districts in 2018.
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