Robberies worry Busia residents

Busia Town residents are living in fear over the rampant cases of armed robberies. The residents told Daily Monitor that gangs have taken over the town despite the presence of police posts and tough talk by security officers to fight crime.
They said in the past two weeks, four incidents of armed attacks have been reported from different areas within the town.
Ms Sylvia Nakato, one of the victims of armed robbery, on Saturday said this has exposed their lives and businesses to danger.

She explained that on the evening of August 30, two men armed with a pistol approached her at her shop on Tiira Road in Mawero West Village and ordered her to hand over the money in her possession.
“One of the men pulled out a pistol and put me at gun point. He ordered me to give his colleague all the money that was in my possession, which I did,” Ms Nakato said.

Shs3.7 taken
She added that the criminals walked away with Shs3.7 million.
After the incident, Ms Nakato reported the case to Busia Central Police Station and it is still under investigations, according to police.
However, Ms Nakato is not alone. Several attacks by armed robbers who target shop operators, Mobile Money dealers and homes have become rampant especially in the villages of Solo and Mawero West in the recent weeks.

Mr Stephen Wanagoli, the village chairperson of Mawero West, acknowledged that cases of armed robbery but blamed police for not doing much to stamp out criminal activities.
“The cases of gun attacks are now common; the robbers are attacking homes, shops and Mobile Money dealers as they walk home and at their places of work each passing day,” Mr Wanagoli, said.
Mr Eriya Elepot, the Busia District Police Commander, said they have recorded numerous cases of armed attacks from different areas within town but said police have started investigations.
“The attacks are being carried out by a group of criminals in town, who strike using the same style,” he said.

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