NELSON K
Residents and local leaders from Omukishaha Cell and Omuruhita Cell, both located in Kakindo Parish, Bugangari Subcounty, have raised serious concerns over the increasing cases of theft in their area. The communities are now threatening to launch night patrols and have expressed their anger, warning that any suspected thieves caught in the act may face mob justice.
According to the LC1 Chairperson of Omukishaha Cell, Mr. Mustafa Munyanga, while speaking to Boona Radio, the community woke up on the morning of 29th July 2025 to shocking news that a shop belonging to a man identified as Justus in the Ntungamo area of Omukishaha Cell had been broken into. All the items in the shop were stolen. The same night, the thieves proceeded to Omuruhita Cell where they broke into another shop and stole a big television screen. They also attempted to break into a coffee store owned by Oscar Agumya, but failed due to the strong locks, double bolts, and metallic doors.
Mr. Mustafa expressed the community’s outrage, stating that residents are now prepared to carry out night patrols and hand over any culprits to police. However, he warned that people are extremely angry and may resort to mob justice if thieves are caught in the act.
The LC1 Chairperson of Omuruhita Cell, Mr. Mwijuka Mark, also confirmed to Boona Radio that the community was equally shocked on the same morning after discovering that thieves had broken into a shop in Omuruhita Cell, cutting through the door bolt and stealing a big screen. He added that the same criminals then moved to the Ntungamo area in Omukishaha Cell, where they broke the locks and doors of another shop, stealing all property including cash. A nearby resident has been identified as a suspect.
Mark also confirmed that thieves attempted to break into a coffee store in the area but were unable to get past the reinforced metallic doors and double bolts.
Oscar Agumya, a resident of Omukishaha, confirmed to Boona Radio that his coffee store was indeed targeted. He reported that unknown thieves sprayed chloroform in his home, which left him weak and unable to respond. Despite attempting to cut the strong locks and bolts, the thieves failed to gain entry. Mr. Agumya strongly warned the criminals, saying the community is now prepared to take tough action against anyone caught stealing.
In response, the LC3 Chairperson of Bugangari Subcounty, Mr. Jaston Byamukama, urged both residents and local leaders to report such cases as soon as possible to help apprehend the culprits. He cited the success of using community spies to catch goat thieves, even in neighboring Kanungu District.
Mr. Byamukama also spoke about the idea of forming security village committees, emphasizing that proper research and investigations must be done to ensure effectiveness and avoid involving untrustworthy individuals. He added that the subcounty has plans to budget for night patrols by police, especially during the Christmas and end-of-year festive season, though the initiative has not yet started.
