By Nathan Eyagu
SOROTI CITY
The territorial policing Divisions in Soroti City are currently conducting operations to curb crime in the City following a general public outcry.
The Police Divisions carrying out what has popularly come to be known as ‘operation cokora’ are Soroti City CPS, Soroti West division CPS, and Soroti East division CPS.
According to the press statement released yesterday 1st June 2022 by ASP Ageca Oscar Gregg, the PRO East Kyoga territorial police, the above referenced operation follows the one conducted on the 23/5/2022 where 23 people were arrested, arraigned before the chief Magistrates court of Soroti and consequently remanded to Soroti Central prison.
He noted that there are rising cases of criminality in the areas of Bus Park, Pioneer Ward as well as Children’s Park.
It should however be noted that on the Tuesday 31/05/2022 night, the police of CPS Soroti mounted an Operation on street gangs colloquially referred to as Cokoras where thirty three (33) persons were arrested.
Out of the 36, twenty one (21) were male adults, (six) 6 female adults and six (6) male juveniles who shall be handed over to probation officers as under the law.
Ageca revealed that exhibits such as opium and a UPDF army uniform were recovered and that the suspects are currently detained at CPS Soroti pending their arraignment before the courts of judicature where they will be charged for being in possession of government stores and abuse of drugs under the Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 2016.
“We would like to reiterate that childhood is the most important phase of human life. It is the duty of all stakeholders to lay a foundation for successful adult life for these street kids since their lived experiences ultimately affect society as a whole,” he added.
He further urged the community to develop models and strategies for prevention, response and rehabilitation to keep children from ending up on the streets.
He however hastened to add that Uganda Police Force of East Kyoga will continue to conduct operations, arrest all adults who use street children to commit crimes and convey the misguided children to probation officers for proper management.
