Mbabara — The crime rate in the Southwestern region has reached disturbing levels. In just seven months, the region has registered 243 murders and 134 robberies with Mbarara District topping the list, according to statistics released by the Police.

The Regional Police Commander, Mr Farouk Muyirima, attributed the high rate of crime to the growing population size, moral degeneration, resource sharing and domestic related violence, among others.

According to the Police statistics, whereas most of the murders happened in Bushenyi and Mbarara districts (52 and 51 respectively), most of the robberies took place in Mbarara District (60).

Although the statistics from the previous years were not readily available, the Police said there is a remarkable increase in the crime rate.

"While we may not have exact causes of murders, most of them are domestic-related while others are committed while carrying out robberies," Mr Muyirima said.

He said the high murder rate in Bushenyi is due to wrangles over property. "Members of one family end up killing each other," he said.

"My appeal to the public is that they should know that murder may not solve the outstanding problems because there are other avenues of settling differences,' he said.

The other crimes which include mugging, highway robberies, and rape on the other hand are mostly committed by the youth whom Mr Muyirima said are "misguided and delinquent".

Parading 10 suspected highway robbers who were arrested this week, he said Police would intensify crime intelligence using the public and community policing to reduce the crime rate.

Also paraded were men who have been duping road users with fake toy guns and using mineral water bottles to simulate the sound of the gun while cocking.

"They have created nightmares to the travelling public on the major roads leading to and from Mbarara," Mr Muyirima said.

One of the suspected thugs shown to the press was Mr Yasin Asiimwe, who claimed he was a Tanzanian national. He was arrested while dressed in a PGB camouflage jacket with ceremonial pips of a lieutenant.

He told police that the uniform belongs to one of his friends, Lt Ausi Bahati, whom he said is based in Kasese. Mr Muyirima appealed to dealers in used clothing to always surrender army fatigue replicas they usually find in the bales they buy, to minimize the spread of these items which are used by thieves.

"Many people who have fallen victim to robberies have been reporting robbers donning army uniform. This could be one of the sources of such attire," he said.