The Rising Tide of Crime in Kampala: An Urgent Call for Comprehensive Action.

By Wasswa Fideri

Imagine moving along Ben Kiwanuka Street on one of your most tiring days, gladly craving to take your fatigue back home, only to see yourself surrounded by a gang and finally receiving a Jet Li kick. Do not confuse this for an excerpt from the bestselling thriller movies; this is the current reality in our beloved, Kampala.

The recent crime incidences in Kampala are indicative of a resurgence of yet another dark cloud of highly planned criminality. Anyone over there who shares the state of full -time citizenship like me can smell something sinister yet to happen. The video clips and news nuggets about the recent criminality of gangs on Ben Kiwanuka Street is a mind opener to us all in line with how insecure our city is.

We need to know that this trend is not the first per se, Kampala has had comparable criminal incidences over the preceding years though in different ways. Remember the recent motorcycle robberies, kidnappings of women within the Kampala outskirts in Nansana and Entebbe in 2018, iron bar attacks (katayimbwa), the phone snatching (though sounding trivial) and criminal gangs in the suburbs of Kampala among others. Do you remember the famous Kifesi group that played hide and seek with the fallen assistant inspector of police, the late Muhammad Kirumira in Nansana? In addition to this gang group, there were B13, Naguru Arrow Boys, Bijambiya (machete holders), Sobbi, Bad Life among others. All these operating within Kampala and its peripheries. This is testament to the famous verbatim of “history repeats itself.” Despite the solid efforts by the police to rectify the situation, there is still a lacuna in the security of the country, the capital in particular.

Former Assistant Inspector of police, the late Muhamad Kirumira during his tenure of active service in the Uganda Police.

Over the past years, police reports regarding criminality have brought to light the increment of crime in Kampala. The annual crime report of the year 2023 noted a 1.5% decrease in the number of crimes reported to police from 231,653 cases reported in 2022 to 228,074 cases. Despite this statistical achievement, we cannot be complacent when this is happening. Could it be the case that statistics have gone back to the dogs? The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango on various interviews has come out and addressed the Nation on the ongoing robbery incidents. On numerous occasions, he has credulously assured the public that they are safe. But are we? There is no single day Kampala misses among the top-notch habitations of crime despite the various security measures put in place.

Using the most recent Ben Kiwanuka Street scenario as our case study, one notices something fishy in these crime moves. To begin with, the way these goons workout their “calling" is seemingly well-planned. The tactics used in their attacks are extraordinary. It is not an ordinary group but a cluster of well-trained characters. Shockingly, the folks taking part in this felony are young men of ages below 18 as asserted by the police spokesperson Fred Enanga during the Monday 27th of May police press release. According to Enanga, these are former street children who come to the Kampala streets as early as the age of three. Still on this matter, there is a question regarding humanity in this case. I wonder how one is kicked to that point and no one comes to his aid or even bothers to raise an alarm. Where has our humanity vanished? This all being done, the offenders move along with heads raised high as if they have provided a commendable service to the community, without anyone bothering to stand against the perpetrators. ? Ugandans have outrageously lost their African touch, where is the sense of typical African solidarity, the concern for the well-being of another, a gold-welded bond that consolidated the lives of our forefathers.

The attacks were done within clear coverage of the CCTV cameras. What is the use of security cameras apart from carrying out post-mortems of already propagated crimes? I had in mind that cameras ought to work proactively rather than reactively. If all criminal actions are to be dealt with reactively, are we safe? If such happens within areas having a relatively fair surveillance, what is the hell that happens in our villages where rudimentary surveillance is done, if any? You have of late known how village dwellers have been losing their crop harvests, particularly coffee, overnight to thieves and brigands. Worse than this is happening though reticent.

In my thinking, these are gangs probably trying to fend for themselves through sinister ways. We know very well the impact of gang groups in society. I always use the Haiti situation as an example. The gang groups that began jokingly are now at the verge of the state. In addition, this is the same way gangsters are taking on villages, suburbs and at this point, penetrating the heart of our capital. Should we declare it as a failed battle by police against crime? With due certainty, I am well aware of certain areas within Kampala that are impassable within certain hours. We know very well areas that are inaccessible by motorists in the night, one risks losing his car’s windscreen should he risk. Other streets are cordoned off by gangs who extort money from motorists that want to use such routes. In addition, certain streets are earmarked in Kampala for phone snatching, to be exact, the same areas of Ben Kiwanuka street, Clock tower, Northern bypass, the township of Busega among others.  I do not know if the relevant security bodies are aware of this. If yes, what's resonating in their minds? What are they waiting for to take action? I am seeing that in the time to come, we are taking the Haiti way. 

In such a time of threat, this can’t be a talk reserved for only online verbal reactions and talks. This necessitates a deeper analysis into the problem. Carrying out a root-cause analysis of this matter is ideal for curbing the matter before it escalates further. To begin with, the matter has been identified and it is factual, that is the first success. Second, we have to question the “why” behind these moves. We have to look at it through different lenses. In my opinion, such groups arise due to a multifaceted cause.

The psychologist will link such perpetrations to family dysfunction and an absence of quality parenting. This could be partially a cause. Today, many parents claim to be lacking time for children, claiming to be taken up by work. Therefore, children are left on their own and if unlucky, joining peer groups that are negative oriented.

Economically, we can speak about the current economic hardships in the country. We know very well how indebted our country is and the effects of debts to the economy. The economic times are very hard. The number of many unemployed youths that are facing urban poverty may be finding their way out this way. This may be a fertile ground for the sprouting of this seed to the extent that gangs recruit members to gain control. Economic desperation is top-notch among energetic youth in Kampala these days with the determination of survival in all ways possible, good or bad.

Akin to this, the levels of unemployment, laziness and laxity towards work among the youth are worrying. On a sorry state, even those that work are laden with tough financial pressures. Despite the heavy work they do for a living, the ends are not meeting. Consequently, they will look for survival through such means.

In another way, can’t we attribute this to usage of drugs and alcoholism?  The Alcohol Rehab Guide (2024) ranked Uganda among the top alcohol consumers in the world, with the sixth position in the entire world and the first in Africa. You understand very well how hazardous heavy drinking is to community, beginning with an increase in crime rate, public disorder as well as family and social strain.

Talking politically, this could be a result of political corruption and institutional failure. We have heard on a number of occasions how security personnel give a hand in such criminal moves, that is, providing them with arms (guns), offering them disguised security and, the most common, setting free these culprits after pleading guilty. I in another way think that this could be an experimentation or a test to the political ability of the country. Who knows whether some opportunists are launching a campaign to destabilize the political climate this way?

In summation, this move retains connotations of territorial control, in particular taking over dark spots or areas with seemingly limited surveillance. Second, there is another characteristic of economic gain. It could be a move of extracting money and property from the populace in return for protection and other potential security risks. In addition, there could be a trait of gaining political and social dominance, particularly in certain areas.

The immediate question then comes in; how best can we curb the matter and prevent future happenings of a kind? There is a dire need of retreating to the drawing board to put things right. The best way, according to my thinking, is solving the matter beginning from the roots. First, we have known that these are former kids that missed acute parenting. There is need of rethinking parenting patterns. Parents ought to inculcate in their children the vital qualities of humanity, and on the other hand, schools to embrace holistic education.

The next remedy lies in the economic bracket. Ideally, job creation and workforce development could be the ideal way of filling the missing gaps. This has worked well for Germany as it embraces a twofold education system of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Access to financial services should be highly prioritized. There is need of bringing closer financial literacy programs and services to certain areas to help residents save money securely and obtain loans. The Parish Development Model as an example could be a promising move. However, its modus operandi should be rethought to bridge the gaps that are indicative of mismanagement and lack of equity.

The government ought to make a favourable environment for a viable economy. With the current state where local businesses collapse every now and then due to stringent taxes, we are still experiencing more of a kind. The favours and privileges given to the foreign businesspersons ought to be extended to the local businesses to thrive.

Regarding alcoholism and drug usage, absolute banning of alcohol can never be the cause. Rather, there is need for regulation. We of late heard a ceArtain minister tabling a bill in parliament regarding alcohol; let us try it, wait and see.

Tight scrutiny should be done in the security operations. How feasible and reliable are the security personnel?  We do have some harmony in certain areas, thanks to the police. However, there is also need to rejuvenate our efforts and strengths in matters of security. Community policing as well promises good yields if embraced. The dark spots should be given thorough consideration. Areas having greater masses ought to be prioritized first, especially the urban areas given their security related concerns.

Finally, can’t we benchmark against countries that have had similar situations? How have they handled them and what is their current rest position? I think that might be of help as well.

As we struggle to fight back Kampala streets into our hands, we do so from the motive of pure love of our capital. We deliberate on standing against the imminent anarchy, with a quest for better services from our leaders and ourselves. In a moment of silence, may we contemplate the future we have in mind for Kampala. Is it one defined by terror and violence or rather a haven of harmony and a prevalence of safety? The time is now or never.