Police in Gulu district has arrested 136 suspected members of gangs that have been terrorizing residents of Gulu town and its suburbs.
The 136 were arrested in operations the police says is intended to rid Gulu municipality off insecurity that has in recent weeks been on the rise.
The first arrests were executed Christmas day when 15 suspected criminals were arrested from Lacor trading centre, along Gulu-Juba Highway.
The second arrest was conducted on December 27, were 36 arrested in Gulu town after an outcry of residents who had been robbed off valuables such as mobile phones, jewelry and money.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa Region Police Spokesperson said the suspects were found with tools used in house break-ins and marijuana. The gang, Okema added, moves with clubs in the night, waylaying unsuspecting residents on the road.
Some of the arrested thugs are suspected to have been involved in the murder of Christine Anyeko, a daughter of the retired Gulu Anglican Bishop, Nelson Onono Onweng.
During Ms Anyeko’s burial, Jacob Oulanyah, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament condemned the murder and tasked security officials in Gulu to end the rampant crime wave.
Gulu Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Tonny Oret, named some of the groups terrorizing residents as Makwar Macol literally means Red and Black in Acholi, Vampire and Central, among others.
