Lugari Member of Parliament Nabii Nabwera has called for collaborative efforts to combat the rising crime rate in the constituency.
Nabwera expressed concern over the emergence of juvenile criminal gangs terrorizing members of the public, especially at night, and the recent murders of innocent individuals in the constituency.
Speaking during the burial of Alfred Amugune at Saisi area in Mautuma Ward, the lawmaker said the constituents must decisively end breeding grounds of crime, such as disco matanga and create a safe environment for the youth to thrive.
He said: “There is a growing concern over rising insecurity across Lugari.
“Recently, in Chevaywa ward, a young girl aged 21 years was brutally murdered in a guest house, while a few days ago at Itumbu area in Chekalini ward, a woman was gang-raped and burnt to death by individuals allegedly returning from disco Matanga.
“We must collectively ensure that every child is kept in school, shielded from criminal influence, and is allowed to pursue education as the true path to a brighter future,” he said.
He regretted that some young boys in the constituency were abandoning studies to join criminal gangs, and terrorize the community, adding, “Recently in Lwandeti ward we had a scenario, where a group of boys aged 16-18 abandoned school and formed a criminal gang nicknamed the 42 brothers.
“After complaints from members of the public, a crackdown was carried out to nab the suspects. Regrettably out of the nine boys arrested some were in grade seven. This forced me to ask myself, where are the parents to these children?,” posed Nambwera
He also expressed disappointment that the whereabouts of 11 learners of Mukuyu Secondary School, whose school fees had been fully paid was not known. “That is not a society I want to live in. Where shall we go as a society in the future?,” he wondered.
Nabwera appealed to his constituents to help each other and advise learners who are dropping out of school to go back and complete their studies, warning that they would become a big threat to them in future if they fail to do so.
by Melechezedeck Ejakait
