Twenty-two people in Soroti City have been sentenced to either one week of community service or six months in prison for causing a public disturbance.
The Soroti Grade One Magistrate, Nause Tumuhimbise, made this decision after the accused individuals admitted their guilt in court.
They were arrested on Sunday, September 17, 2023, in areas known for high crime rates, where theft, sexual assaults, and even murder had occurred. Many of them claimed to be students or workers heading home after eating in local restaurants.
The accused individuals requested leniency, saying they didn’t know about the police operations that night. One student, Paul Adome, who was visiting his injured father, asked for a non-prison sentence to continue his studies.
Others mentioned they were supporting their families and that their families would suffer if they were jailed. Some were single parents due to separation from their spouses.
The police made these arrests in response to complaints from Soroti City residents about increased criminal activity. Criminals were targeting residents, stealing their belongings, like phones and bags, and attacking them at night.
To address these concerns, the police launched an operation called “Towa Gasia,” which means “remove rubbish” in Soroti City. This operation has led to the arrest and prosecution of over 80 suspects in the past two weeks.
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