By Patrick Jaramogi
KAMPALA, Uganda: Perhaps the ‘January Blues’, or call it the hard economic times of the first month of the year, can best describe this new wave of crime.
Rogers, not real names, was heading home after a short ‘gig’ with fellow friends. But as he approached Lugogo Shoprite traffic lights, the lights indicated RED. Like any motorist, he had to abide. Little did he know that he was to receive the heaviest rain of stones hurled at his car. His car windows at that time were half way up. In just a few seconds, a gang of rowdy boys rained heavy stones on it, smashing the car windows. His face was shattered beyond recognition and he sustained wounds that needed stitches. The victim was driving a Toyota Vitz number UBE 622K when he was attacked. As you read this, he is nursing severe head injuries at a private hospital in Kampala. Rogers is not the only Ugandan who has been attacked in the same way, because many other Ugandans have reported such cases to police. But thanks to the newly installed CCTV Cameras, this new wave of crime is being contained by the police. Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman Patrick Onyango reveals that recently, a gang of eight boys who have been perpetrating these attacks was easily rounded up and are now being held at Kira Road Police Station.
The police, have according to Onyango, increased their motorized and foot patrols in the city so as to curb crime rate. However, he also advised the public to be vigilant and raise car mirrors while driving, as this seems to be a new wave of crime in Kampala city.
