Over 25 street children arrested in Ntungamo crackdown
Local leaders attributed the increasing number of street children to parental neglect, domestic violence and poor parenting.
Ntungamo: Local leaders in Rubaare Town Council, Ntungamo district have arrested more than 25 street children during an operation targeting areas believed to be harbouring youths accused of terrorising residents and engaging in criminal activities.
The crackdown was conducted by LC I chairpersons led by Mr. Milton Ndebesa, who also serves as the LC I Chairperson for Rubaare II.
According to Ndebesa, the operation targeted hotspots where street children have reportedly been operating from and allegedly targeting residents returning home from work in the evening.
He said the suspects have been linked to theft of people’s property, drug abuse, and snatching phones, bags and other valuables from pedestrians.
Ndebesa further alleged that some of the children have been stealing saucepans and metallic household items before converting them into scrap for sale to scrap dealers.
The operation led to the arrest of over 25 street children from areas including Rwobubare, Rwebikoona, Kamwokya, Muyenga and Koranorya, all within Rubaare Town Council.
According to local authorities, many of the children are believed to have come from neighbouring areas such as Rwahi, Kagango, Kashenyi, Rwentobo, Muhanga, Kerere, Rubaare, Mutojo, Kamweezi and Lyantonde.
Ndebesa said the children often disguise themselves as scrap collectors and casual labourers but are allegedly involved in theft of livestock including goats, sheep, pigs and hens.
The arrested children, estimated to be between 9 and 19 years old, reportedly admitted to participating in the activities under the leadership of a suspected ring leader commonly known as “Gaza.”
Authorities said the suspect was arrested and handed over to police to assist in ongoing investigations.
Local leaders attributed the increasing number of street children in Rubaare Town Council to parental neglect, domestic violence and poor parenting.
They vowed to continue operations aimed at eliminating street children from the area and curbing related criminal activities.
By press time, police together with officers from the Family Protection Unit at Rubaare Police Station were planning how to reunite the children with their respective parents.
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