By Richard Onapatum
Kotido, Uganda- The abandoned Lominit police outpost, built in 2023 and initially a stronghold of security for Rengen Sub County, now stands as a glaring symbol of neglect and has sparked uproar . Once teeming with 30 dedicated officers, its closure has left the community feeling exposed and defenseless against rising crime.
Lochode Apakirwat, the spirited LCI Vice-chairperson of Kaekar East village, voiced the residents’ deepening fears: “Without the outpost, we are at the mercy of criminals.”
Paul Lokong from Kakuloi village reminisced about the outpost’s impact on reducing the long treks to Kotido Police Station. “It felt like the ground was pulled out from under us when the outpost was closed,” he lamented. The presence of the outpost had significantly alleviated the burden on residents, making reporting and following up on criminal cases more manageable.
Even more troubling is the rise in domestic violence cases, as highlighted by Nakong Cecilia. “The women’s council is overwhelmed with disputes. Many unresolved cases now have to be referred to the more distant Rengen outpost or Kotido CPS, located about 5 kilometers away,” she explained. “The closure has only amplified our struggles.”
Kidepo Regional Police Commander, SSP Godfrey Achiria, urged residents to persevere with the current situation and utilize the newly rolled-out emergency telephone contacts for reporting incidents, acknowledging the community’s distress.
In a unified call for peace and security, Kotido residents are demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Lominit police outpost. They believe that the outpost is essential for restoring their community’s safety and stability. The abandoned buildings of the outpost stand ready, awaiting the return of the police officers who once provided a sense of security to the region.give this a very tough title
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