At a weekly press conference on Wednesday April 8, the Uganda People’s Congress spoke about the resurgence of criminality in the country.
Arach Oyat Sharon, the party’s spokesperson, said “as we come out of Eid Al-Fitr and Easter celebrations after fasting the holy month of Ramadan as well as observing the Lenten period, we are expected, as a country to lead an exemplary life in our families, workplaces and wider society we live in.”
Leading an exemplary life, Oyat said it should go with “compassion and honesty with a renewed faith and greater sense of belonging and humanity towards each other.”
UPC takes note that the reality in our communities is very much different. “We have all sorts of criminals ready to pounce on anything. It is reported that in various homesteads, it starts with those claiming to be collecting plastic bottles and scrap metals who end up literally stealing anything usable domestically whether new or old in the guise of picking scrap materials.”
This type of theft, UPC said, has also involved extending to water meters and electricity equipment that belong to government corporate bodies or agencies.
“All our homes are increasingly getting barricaded with a strong wall fence, electric barbed wires, security guards, security cameras while others with special dogs that are well trained in sensing danger,” Oyat added.
However, the party said we should note that this kind of self-security arrangement is out of reach for our ordinary poor people who are swimming in poverty and are left exposed to all forms of theft/insecurity.
At another level, the wrong elements in our society are now more lethal and daring, she told a Wednesday press conference in Kampala.
The wrong elements, UPC noted, are fond of attacking mobile money outlets, supermarkets, hardware shops and Petro Stations for money. “These are extremely violent raids which result in serious injuries, damage to property and deaths in most cases. The government should deliver on its mandate to ensure that all citizens are safe with their property.
“The farmers also have to offer special security to their gardens and farms to protect their crops, livestock and poultry. This affects productivity and agricultural loan repayments.
UPC is observing with concern an emerging trend of criminality in our schools.
“Originally, it was a fire outbreak consuming our schools resulting in serious injuries and at times death. As parents and concerned citizens, we have been waiting for reports of such fire incidents. Up to now, no such report has come out.
Ggaba stabbing
The party reacted to “a disturbing horrific incident in Ggaba” where the pre-primary and day care facility was invaded by machete-wielding criminals killing four infants on the spot on April 2, 2026, is a national tragedy!
“UPC sends special condolences to the families and school for such a cruel experience.
Similarly, in Apac–Lango sub-region, a Seed Secondary School was invaded by machete criminals who inflicted heavy damage on the students who are currently hospitalized. We wait for both reports to clear the air as to the real motives of such attacks to our schools.
“The country is indeed in hard times! UPC is strongly advising the government and all other stakeholders to reinforce security and intelligence work at grassroots levels. The idea of having a fully-fledged police station at sub-county level seems not to be working well.
“We need such a security facility, which is properly facilitated at a parish level to beef up security in the area.
“The government needs to create more opportunities in both formal and informal sectors for its citizenry to earn a living in a meaningful way. This can give hope while planning for the future and reduce both the unemployment and under employment gaps.”
