By Jamillah Kemigisa
Authorities in Mbarara City have apprehended 124 street dwellers, including 74 minors, in a sweeping night operation aimed at curbing the city’s growing street population.
The operation, conducted on Monday night, targeted high-density areas such as Kisenyi, Kakoba, Kijungu, and High Street, following mounting public concerns about security, sanitation, and the effect of street children on businesses.
The raid was a joint effort between Mbarara City Police and the City South Probation Office, signaling what officials call a “renewed commitment” to address an escalating urban crisis.
Gershom Kakuru, the Probation Officer for Mbarara City South Division, said the influx of street dwellers is partly fueled by migration from the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in neighboring Isingiro District.
“Many children and young men from Nakivale end up drifting into Mbarara. This has contributed to the growing number of street children, which poses a challenge to business, security, and social safety,” Kakuru noted.
Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, SP Samson Kasasira, confirmed that the operation netted 24 foreign nationals and 23 adults aged 18 and above, who are being screened as investigations continue.
Street children remain one of Uganda’s most persistent social and policy challenges, often associated with petty crime, exploitation, poor health outcomes, and long-term poverty. Experts say they are among the most vulnerable members of society, frequently trapped in cycles of deprivation with little chance of escape without intervention.
The problem is not new. In 1952, the British colonial administration established the Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre (then called the Boys’ Approved School) to rehabilitate juveniles beyond parental control. Yet, despite decades of efforts, systemic solutions have proved elusive.
Current estimates suggest Uganda has between 10,000 and 15,000 street children, though experts believe the actual figure is higher due to underreporting and the transient nature of the population.
Authorities in Mbarara emphasized that Monday’s operation is part of a broader, long-term strategy. While law enforcement plays a role, they say lasting solutions must prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration.
“We cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” a local official said. “Rehabilitation, education, and family reunification are key if we are to break the cycle and give these children a future.”
As similar operations are planned, the Mbarara exercise has reignited debate over how cities can balance security concerns with compassion for vulnerable populations — and whether Uganda’s existing social services are equipped to handle the crisis.
