Iganga, Uganda: Police in Iganga District have arrested 28 young people during a major anti-narcotics operation targeting suspected drug hotspots in Iganga Municipality and Nakigo Sub-county.
The operation, conducted on Saturday, June 27, was carried out in Bikadho Zone, Bugumba ‘A’ in Iganga Municipality and Bulubandi Central ‘B’ in Nakigo Sub-county by officers led by the Officer in Charge of Iganga Central Police Station.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha said the operation was launched following growing complaints from residents over increasing insecurity allegedly linked to drug abuse. “Pieces of marijuana were recovered and exhibited during the operation,” ASP Kasadha confirmed.
He said the operation formed part of an ongoing campaign to combat illegal drug use and restore public order in communities affected by narcotics-related crime.
According to police, residents have recently raised concerns over rising cases of disorder, assault, petty theft and violent crime, which they believe are being fuelled by drug abuse among sections of the youth.
All the 28 suspects are currently being held at Iganga Central Police Station as detectives complete investigations before forwarding the case files to the Resident State Attorney for legal guidance.
“The operation aimed to address community concerns about unrest and disorder linked to drug-related issues in Iganga,” ASP Kasadha said.
Iganga has long featured among the districts where security agencies have intensified operations against illegal drugs amid concerns that substance abuse is contributing to criminal activity, particularly among unemployed youth.
Police say previous investigations have linked drug abuse to incidents of mugging, house break-ins, robbery and boda boda theft, with intoxicated suspects often involved in violent crimes.
Local leaders welcomed the latest crackdown but urged authorities to complement enforcement with community sensitisation and youth empowerment initiatives.
Okia David, a resident of Igamba Village near Bugumba, said arrests alone would not permanently solve the problem.
“Many young people are unemployed and easily fall into bad peer groups. Alongside police operations, there should be sensitisation programmes in schools, trading centres and communities to discourage drug abuse,” he said.
Police have appealed to parents, guardians, teachers, religious leaders and boda boda operators to work closely with security agencies by reporting suspected drug dealers and helping guide young people away from narcotics.
But ASP Kasadha said the force remains committed to intelligence-led operations targeting drug trafficking networks across the Busoga sub-region. “We remain committed to working with the community to rid Iganga of drug-related crime and restore order in our neighbourhoods,” he said.
The latest operation comes amid an intensified anti-drug campaign by Busoga East Police, with similar crackdowns recently conducted in neighbouring Jinja and Mayuge districts.
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