At least 69 people have been arrested in police operations in Fort Portal Tourism city with the aim of ensuring the security and safety of the residents. The operations were prompted by the recent cases of murder in Fort Portal city.
On Monday, November 21, 2022, 23-year-old Sarah Ahaiswe, a banking agent was found dead in her house in Rwengoma Village in Fort Portal city. On Friday, November 25, a body of an unidentified man was found dumped along the road to St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church in Fort Portal City Central Division.
On Saturday, November 26, the body of Paul Bahizi, the Kagadi District Environmental Health Officer was discovered in front of the Fort Portal Main Mosque just a few meters from where the first body was found on Friday. As a result of the murders, police started carrying out both foot and motorised patrols on Saturday nights.
Vincent Twesige, the Rwenzori West Police Spokesperson, says that since the operation began, they have so far arrested 69 people found loitering in town beyond midnight.
Norman Musinga, the Rwenzori West Police Commander, says that apart from the recent murders that shocked residents, the security situation in Fort Portal is calm and peaceful. He also noted that their intelligence shows that the recent murders are uncoordinated.
Musinga says that Fort Portal is a city now, and the community should understand that development comes with a raise in crime. He asked the residents to be vigilant always. The RPC revealed that police have arrested a number of sex workers in the ongoing operation because of suspicion of conniving with thugs to rob their clients.
According to Musinga, security has realized that when some of these sex workers get to know that their client has money, they tip off the thugs who come and rob them. He says that investigations into the murders are still ongoing and police will continue with the night operations.
