Rubaare, Ntungamo – Local leaders in Rubaare Town Council have arrested over 25 street children in a crackdown on criminal hotspots terrorizing residents in the evenings.
The operation was led by Rubaare LCI chairpersons under Mr. Milton Ndebesa, who also doubles as LC I chairperson for Rubaare II. The raid targeted areas including Rwobubare, Rwebikoona, Kamwokya, Muyenga and Koranorya.
Mr. Ndebesa said the operation was aimed at street children involved in stealing property, drug abuse, snatching phones and bags from people returning from work. He added that some were also compressing stolen saucepans and other metallic objects into scrap to sell to dealers.
“The children, aged between 9 and 19, confessed to being involved in these acts with their ring leader commonly known as ‘Gaza’. Gaza was arrested and handed over to police for interrogation,” Ndebesa said.
He noted that most of the children had migrated into Rubaare from areas such as Rwahi, Kagango, Kashenyi, Rwentobo, Muhanga, Kerere, Mutojo, Kamweezi and Lyantonde. They often disguised themselves as scrap collectors and casual laborers, but were engaging in theft of goats, sheep, pigs and poultry.
Authorities attributed the influx to parental neglect, domestic violence and poor parenting. They vowed to continue operations until street children in the town council are eliminated and reunited with their families.
By press time, police and the Officer in Charge of the Family and Child Protection Unit at Rubaare Police Station were planning how to reunite the children with their respective parents.
Story By: Amon Muhumuza
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