Kisoro DPC blames Students for Petty crimes around Kisoro town

By Gerald Niyirinda & Alex Irankunda

The Kisoro District Police Commander (DPC) ASP Benard Mugerwa has warned learners against escaping from school to terrorise people around Kisoro Municipality. 

Mugerwa was on Wednesday addressing students of St Andrew’s academy.

The warning follows heightened incidents of waylaying people, which has been blamed on students who escape from their schools during night hours.

Kisoro police has since resolved to carry out community policing for students and school leaders within Kisoro Municipality. Emphasis is on schools whose students have previously been arrested during night patrols.

Mugerwa said his office has a list of students who are habitual criminals grabbing money and properties from people at night. 

He asked the headteacher, Mr Nickson Murangira to cooperate with police in identifying students involved in crime.

“From today onwards, if these learners escape, just tell us. We shall use our canine unit to investigate and we shall tell you where they passed and where they went,” said ASP Mugerwa, as he asked the head teacher to cooperate in fighting the vice.

The DPC was flanked by Twinomugisha Godliver, the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations (OCCID) at Kisoro Police Station who noted that investigations implicate students in criminal activities around Kisoro town.

She advised female learners against peer influence that could affect their future.

“Many girls become unruly and start reaching home at night. When you are at school, parents feel relieved. Should parents now put security guards at home?” wondered the OC CID.

Recently, 43 people including three students from Kisoro Municipality were given light sentences after being convicted of criminality around Kisoro town.

On his part, the Kisoro Police Community Liaisons Officer, IP Boaz Arinaitwe encouraged students to focus on their goals and prioritise personal hygiene.

“If you look behind in your villages, there are many children who are not in school. But you are here at St Andrew’s as a student, please consider your goal and leave behind a name as a good performer.”

He also warned ladies against premarital sex.

“To the ladies, boys will use you and you can even be a public nuisance. People will laugh at you, and schools may even deny you admission with a big belly. Please remain alert and focus on your goals. Be a good listener.” Advised IP Boaz.

The headteacher, Mr. Murangira Nickson told www.vomuhabura.com that some parents should be blamed for abandoning their parenting role to schools.

“Some children escape and go home, but parents receive them, instead of asking for the permission chits from them. Others have phones while at home and the parents don’t bother keeping them before their children come to school. I urge parents to prepare their children very well before they come to school.”

According to Murangira, parents should be on the look out to monitor the behavior of their children, instead of feeling relived when schools open.

A report from Kisoro DPC’s office implicates some learners from St Andrews Academy, Kisoro Vision, Muhabura Shine and Standard Secondary schools have been terrorizing people around Kisoro town.