RUBIRIZI,UGANDA – Police in Rubirizi, in collaboration with Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU), have pledged joint efforts to fight criminal acts, insecurity, cattle theft, domestic violence and other harmful cultural practices. They called for mindset change and law awareness among LC leaders to restore peace and ensure they understand their role in handling cases in society.
SP Lilian Kikobye, the Rubirizi District Police Commander, assured residents of Ndekye that police will work closely with local council leaders to fight crime and domestic violence. She asked residents to work with police to maintain peace and development and to report criminals, noting that Rubirizi Police is committed to protecting people’s property and will continue community policing across the district.
Madam DPC was responding to concerns raised by residents from Ndekye Town and Kabete during a community policing engagement held today at Ndekye Town Market in Rubirizi Town Council. The engagement aimed to eliminate harmful cultural practices, criminality, insecurity, domestic violence and other forms of crime.
Afande Lilian asked residents to report cases early because security agencies are ready to protect families. She called for mindset change and sensitization to guide residents on their rights and respect for the law. She said Rubirizi Police has pledged joint operations and community policing to restore peace and fight crime.
Mr. Barry Wickliff from Communication for Development Foundation Uganda said CDFU sensitizes LC1 and LC2 leaders on their roles in handling cases to end jealousy and domestic violence. He noted that jealousy in marriage is fueling poverty and domestic conflicts, and that LCs have a key role in maintaining peace, guiding communities and helping ex-convicts as the first point of contact.
He urged LCs to help ex-prisoners by counseling and reintegrating them into the community. He said CDFU works with LCs to counsel, sensitize and change the mindset of ex-convicts so they understand their rights, know the law and live peacefully. He asked local leaders and community members to stop stigmatizing ex-prisoners and instead support them to reform, develop and reintegrate.
Barry Wickliff described CDFU as a Ugandan NGO founded in 2002 and Uganda’s premier Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) organization. He said it aims to improve social services and conditions that positively influence the social development of men, women, youth and children; influence adoption of positive behaviors through awareness raising, demand creation and community mobilization; enhance health and well-being; promote Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion, youth empowerment and prevention of Gender-Based Violence; promote economic empowerment, financial literacy and sustainable livelihoods; and promote human rights, accountability, governance and civic engagement.
Afande Twesigye Caleb, the Community Liaison Officer in Rubirizi District, asked local leaders to work with police to eliminate harmful cultural practices. He said security starts with the community and residents must work closely with police to report crime and maintain peace. He noted that security agencies alone cannot end crime without support from local leaders and the community in reporting cattle thieves.
Rubirizi Police pledged to continue community policing sensitization on new directives, mindset change and laws so that residents understand their role in maintaining security. They emphasized that security requires teamwork between police, leaders and residents to eliminate jealousy in families and cattle theft, and that when communities work with government and police there will be peace, development and improved livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Hon. Tugume Muzafaru, the Area Councillor for Ndekye Town Ward, commended Rubirizi Police and CDFU for the training. He raised concern over increasing cases of domestic violence in his area and called for action to protect families and end gender-based violence. He asked security agencies and local leaders to enforce the law and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, noting that domestic violence is on the rise in Ndekye Town, Kabete and Nyakasharu and is affecting women, children and family stability.
Hon. Muzafaru called for mass community sensitization and reporting of domestic violence cases to police and local leaders.
_Story compiled by Hon. Tugume Muzafaru, Senior News Reporter in Rubirizi District. For media coverage, call 0702269259._
