The Acholi district Khadi Sheikh Musa Khelil has called for the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura to address the continued rising crime in Gulu.
Sheik Khelil’s call follows a wave of attacks by unknown people widely referred to as ‘’iron bar hit men’’. In the last two months, the attackers have killed two people and injured more than 20.
On Friday night a lady identified as Alice Suki and an unidentified security guard were hit in Gulu town.
Sheikh Musa Khelil told Acholi Times in an interview over the weekend that the attacks have reached an alarming level and called for the intervention of the police chief, Gen Kale Kayihura.
The Acholi Khadi cited that Kitgum district which witnessed a rise in gun related murders and violence, stopping only after the intervention of the police boss who deployed the Flying Squad in the district. It’s a crack police unit that handles violent crime.
“It’s very sad that our people who suffered the two decades of Lord’s Resistance Army rebel insurgency are again experiencing a new form of attack on them. We prayed for peace and we achieved it but currently, people are living in panic,” Sheikh Khelil said.
Sheikh Khelil added given the periods that the attacks have been going on, security agents in the district should have carried thorough investigation and revealed who the attackers are.
He noted that residents of Gulu town are currently living in panic as the unknown thugs continue to terorise locals.
“Our people cannot continue living in this situation; as religious leaders we want a special security team to handle situation that seems to be getting out of hand in the district,” Sheikh Khelil said.
Gulu Municipality Mayor George Labeja however when contacted on the current insecurity said the matter had turned ‘‘political’’ and declined to comment.
“I cannot comment on this matter, I know my people are getting hit but I won’t say anything as per now,” he said.
Labeja was elected Gulu municipality Mayor because he was he promised to improve security. The mayor is a former militia leader who in the past netted thugs and in some instances allegedly executed hard core thugs.
Gulu District Police Commander Mr Martin Okoyo however maintained that security within the municipality was normalizing owing to the joint operation conducted by both police and army.
He acknowledged that despite the joint operation, a ‘‘few’ ‘thugs are still at large and operating, adding that police and the army are doing all their best to get rid of them.
Mr Okoyo advised locals to be mindful of their security and avoid moving alone late in the night and very early in the morning.
