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Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Gulu Resident District commissioner has launched a crackdown on suspected B13 Criminal Gangs operating in the outskirts of Gulu District.
The suspected criminal gangs are reportedly operating in the Sub –Counties of Awach, Paibona, Bungatira and Omel in Gulu District. They are known for housebreaking, attacking locals, theft, and robbery, among others.
Stephen Odong Latek, the Gulu RDC who also doubles as the Chairman Security for Gulu District disclosed that the crackdown comes after the one-month ultimatum he gave them to surrender to police expired on May 1st.
According to Latek, one of the gang’s ring leaders whose name he withheld has been arrested with military attires and that five of them surrendered willingly.
According to Latek, his office decided to act quickly in neutralizing the suspected criminal gangs because if they are left to operate, they may become too strong for the security personnel to manage.
Prossy Auma, the Acting Chairperson of Omel Sub –County in Gulu District says they have identified 20 of the gang members in her area who are between 14 and 30 years of age.
According to Auma, the B13 criminal gangs are perpetrating vices like stealing livestock and motorcycles. She says out of the 20 identified, five have surrendered to police and that they were warned against their acts before being released to go back home.
David Mudong, the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson confirmed the existence of the suspected criminal gangs saying their hotspots are being mapped out by police and that very soon police will begin patrolling those areas to have them arrested.
The B13 criminal gangs came into the limelight in 2010 after the acts of pick pocketing became very rampant in the streets of Kampala. On July 3rd 2014, 130 members of the criminal gangs were arrested by police in Kampala City.
In April 2016, 85 out of the over 200 suspected B13 gang members were arrested in the areas of Kasubi, Nakulabye, Nabulagala, Kawaala and Lugala among others were arrested and charged with various offences including theft and robbery.
In October 2019, residents of Palenga Town Council in Omoro district raised an alarm over the terror caused to them by the suspected B13 criminal gangs who used to steal livestock and food items. It is however not clear whether there is any link between the B13 criminal gangs in Kampala and those in Gulu and Omoro districts.
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