200809142078 | Katayimbwa (Iron bar) criminals on the rise in Kampala

Katayimbwa (Iron bar) criminals on the rise in Kampala

Kampala: A new rise of criminals have risen in Kampala of hitmen using iron bars(Mitayimbwa) in various robberies and killings. They hide in dark alleys and spring on unsuspecting victims and steal their money and belongings.

This kind of crime was quite rampant in jinja during the Idi amin times especially in areas of Walukuba, Masese and Mafubira. But the rise of such crime in Kampala has worried rersidents.

The Regional Police Commander Edward Ochom, has said that because the police have developed effective systems of tracking guns used in crime, the thugs are now resorting to using iron bars to avoid being tracked down.

“I would not say this is organised crime. These are the same criminals who have been using guns to terrorise people. Most of these people have been in and out of prison,” said Ochom. “Sometimes when we arrest these criminals, the public says we are arresting innocent people. It is hard to get them red-handed but we use our intelligence.”

The Police have stepped up night patrols but Mr Ochom advised residents to vigilant. “We are receiving useful information from both the public and local authorities. We have started carrying out operations to rid the city of this new menace.