Kayabwe Residents Decry Rising Insecurity as IGP Byakagaba Pledges Urgent Action

Residents and local leaders in Kayabwe Town Council, Mpigi District, have raised serious alarms regarding a sharp rise in violent crime, prompting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba to visit the area and pledge immediate interventions.

During a security engagement held on October 29, community members detailed an environment of growing fear. Reports highlighted incidents of women being shot dead, bodies dumped near the River Katonga Bridge, and criminals shifting from rudimentary weapons to sophisticated firearms. Local leaders pointed out severe policing gaps, noting that the local station relies on just eight officers, several of whom are aging and ill-equipped to confront dangerous gangs.

Katonga Region Police Commander Diana Nyamisango revealed that the region recorded 18 armed and machete-related robberies in September alone, marking a disturbing peak. Five fatalities, including one shooting victim, were registered during the same period.

Responding to the grievances, IGP Byakagaba promised to address staffing shortages within a week, assuring locals that even smaller stations would receive reinforced manpower. He also directed the re-establishment of ward police stations in critical hotspots like Nabusanke Trading Centre and announced plans to deploy motorcycles to improve patrol mobility in hard-to-reach areas.

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