Once. No, actually it’s many times, that I have had encounters with thieves. The first, I was almost choked to death for refusing to let go of my handbag, and the online community helped through crowdfunding to replace my lost gadgets through Akkabo.
Another was when the thief broke into my house and took my gadgets from under my bed while I slept comfortably, as documented here.
Over the past weekend, four of my friends had encounters with thieves;
- One had their car was stolen from his compound in Namugongo while he rested from a hectic schedule,
- the other was a couple, who were ambushed at their gate, beaten and robbed clean in Kyanja after a successful book launch,
- and while the fourth one rested comfortably in his cottage in Jinja after the NyegeNyege festival, a goon climbed through the bathroom window of his room and made off with his smartphone and all the cash he had.
According to the Uganda Constitution under Article 27 titled Right to privacy of person, home and other property.
It states that No person shall be subjected to-(b) unlawful entry by others on the premises of that person and property.(2) No person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of that person’s home, correspondence, communication or other property.
And the ruling party manifesto had this to say about promoting security in Uganda for this term,
“Improving crime control, detection, prevention and investigation. We will employ appropriate technologies such as CCTV cameras to help the Police fight crime. In addition, we will focus on investing in community policing, which promotes citizens’ participation in ensuring their security.” via CCEDU
But why has the crime rate seemingly exploded after the elections?
I know it has only been months after the elections, but for one who boasts of such achievements in their manifesto like the one below in regard to police,
“In addition, Police capability to fight armed criminals has grown tremendously due to better training and acquisition of state-of-the-art forensic and other equipment. The Police capacity to deal with cyber-crime has enabled the foiling of numerous attempts of hi-tech fraudsters. Recruitment and training of young Ugandans to join the Police has been stepped up towards attainment of the internationally recommended ratio of 1 police to 500 people. The ratio in Uganda stands at 1:800, which constrains the proper police service.”
Why did the policemen instead of acting on my case, suggest that I shift from my former home location to finding one that is safe and secure? Where is it safe and secure considering all locations in this lovely city have similar reports of insecurity?
What are the trained Crime-Preventers doing? Who my taxes were spent on to train.
Someone please explain to me why we have many reports of crime and no reports of solved cases mentioned by people who suffered the misfortune?
What kind of security do we Ugandans need to promote safety, to be safe in our homes, in our cars, with our property? Who is to protect us in this regard, who should provide this kind of security?
