Rubirizi — Police in Rubirizi District, in collaboration with the Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU), have pledged to strengthen joint efforts to fight crime, insecurity, cattle theft, domestic violence and harmful cultural practices in communities.
The two institutions also called for mindset change and increased awareness of the law among local council leaders and residents to help restore peace and improve community security.
Speaking during a community policing and sensitisation meeting held at Ndekye Town Market in Rubirizi Town Council, Rubirizi District Police Commander SP Lilian Kikobye urged residents to work closely with police and local leaders to prevent crime and maintain peace.
The meeting followed concerns raised by residents of Ndekye Town and Kabete over increasing cases of domestic violence, insecurity and other criminal activities.
SP Kikobye assured residents that police remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue conducting community policing activities across the district.
She urged residents to report criminal cases to police early, saying timely reporting enables security agencies to respond effectively.
“Security requires teamwork between the community, local leaders and police. Residents must report criminals and work with security agencies to maintain peace and protect their property,” she said.
The DPC also called for mindset change and greater awareness of people’s rights and responsibilities, urging communities to respect the law and reject harmful cultural practices.
LCs urged to play their role
Barry Wickliff, a representative of CDFU, said the organisation is working with Local Council I and II leaders to strengthen their understanding of their roles in handling community cases.
He said local leaders are often the first point of contact for residents and therefore have an important role in maintaining peace, guiding communities and addressing conflicts before they escalate.
Wickliff particularly highlighted jealousy within families as one of the factors contributing to domestic conflicts and poverty.
He also urged local leaders to support people who have completed prison sentences by counselling and helping them reintegrate into their communities instead of stigmatising them.
He said supporting former prisoners to understand the law, develop livelihoods and rebuild their lives can help reduce reoffending and promote peaceful communities.
CDFU, a Ugandan non-governmental organisation founded in 2002, works in areas including social and behaviour change communication, community mobilisation, gender-based violence prevention, youth empowerment, human rights, accountability and economic empowerment.
Security starts with the community
Afande Twesigye Caleb, the Rubirizi District Community Liaison Officer, urged local leaders and residents to work closely with police to address harmful cultural practices and criminal activities.
He said security cannot be achieved by police alone, noting that communities have a critical role in identifying and reporting criminals, including cattle thieves.
“Security starts with the community. Police and other security agencies cannot eliminate crime without the cooperation of residents and local leaders,” Twesigye said.
He urged residents to share information with police and participate in community policing initiatives aimed at preventing crime and maintaining peace.
Rubirizi Police pledged to continue sensitising communities about new security directives, laws and the importance of mindset change.
Police said stronger cooperation between security agencies, local leaders and residents would help address cattle theft, domestic violence, family conflicts and other forms of crime while contributing to peace, development and improved livelihoods.
Councillor calls for action on domestic violence
Meanwhile, Tugume Muzafaru, the Area Councillor for Ndekye Town Ward, welcomed the sensitisation exercise and called for stronger action against domestic violence.
Muzafaru said local leaders are increasingly concerned about cases of domestic violence in Ndekye Town, Kabete and Nyakasharu, which he said are affecting women, children and family stability.
He called on security agencies and local leaders to enforce the law and ensure that perpetrators of domestic violence are held accountable.
He further urged communities to report domestic violence cases to police and local leaders instead of keeping them within families.
Muzafaru said fighting domestic violence requires a joint effort involving police, local leaders and community members.
He called for continued community sensitisation to promote peaceful families, protect vulnerable people and strengthen law enforcement across Rubirizi District.
