By Obbo Yusuf
In a bid to curb rising crime in urban towns of the Busoga East region, the regional police have launched a new security initiative, deploying motorcycle squads to patrol towns, business centers, and banks. The operation, which consists of eight motorcycles in each district, each carrying two armed officers, is part of a strategic response to the growing trend of armed robbers using motorcycles to execute robberies.
According to the Regional Police Commander (RPC) of Busoga East, SSP Senyonyo Abasa, the move follows a disturbing rise in shooting and robbery cases, particularly in towns like Iganga and Mayuge. “Our intelligence team discovered that armed robbers have increasingly been using motorcycles to commit crimes, and we’ve stepped up our response to this threat,” Abasa stated.
The motorcycle squads, which have been deployed in all six districts of Busoga East—Iganga, Mayuge, Bugweri, Bugiri, Namutumba, and Namayingo—are expected to improve police response times, especially in the wake of recent robberies. The police have also called on bank managers to utilize security guards to monitor and remove suspicious individuals loitering around bank premises, as some have been found to be targeting clients under the guise of offering dollar exchange services.
Abasa emphasized the importance of community collaboration in the fight against crime. “We urge the public to partner with us by reporting any suspicious activities or individuals in their neighborhoods,” he added.
The motorcycle squads have been met with praise from the local business community, which believes the initiative will significantly reduce crime in town. Isa Doba, a boda boda rider at Iganga Saza Road, shared his thoughts on the new operation: “People are often robbed by armed men in salon cars or on boda bodas. The new patrols will help officers respond quickly to these incidents.”
However, some residents have expressed concerns over the sustainability of the operation, particularly citing challenges like manpower shortages and fuel constraints. They have called on the government to increase fuel allowances for the police to ensure the initiative’s long-term effectiveness.
Despite these concerns, the public and police alike are hopeful that the motorcycle squads will play a pivotal role in making Busoga East a safer region for all.
