Luwero want suspected thieves freed
The District Police Commander in Luwero is facing the heat from dozens of locals and their leaders who want suspects netted in a crackdown released and charges against them dropped.
On Monday, police conducted an intelligence led operation at crime hot spots in Luwero town that led to the arrest of 36 youths on allegations of burglary, mugging and attempted rape.
This operation happened moments after a local wholesale and retail shop in town called Yesu Amala was ransacked by thieves who wiped the place clean of material goods.
Living Twazagye, the Luwero District Police Commander says of the 36 suspects, 26 were presented before Magistrate Court and remanded for various crimes while 10 suspects are still under screening.
However, these arrests have angered both locals and parish councilors who have accused Police of by passing them to target wrong people.
Luwero want suspected thieves freed
Councillors allege that the manner in which suspects were arrested is wrong and should have been done with consultations from local council leaders. They allege that innocent youths and bread winners to families were picked up during working hours from their places of work and in leisure places.
Other parish councilors allege that some youths detained by Police were picked up at around 8:20 pm while playing Ludo games after work. They claim those arrested are known in the community as disciplined and hardworking people.
Locals and their leaders alike want police to release the suspects immediately.
However, Twazagye insists that the operations are intelligence-led and that those arrested have been terrorizing the residents.
He says alerting local leaders before the operations would spoil the operation.
