A trigger-happy private security guard in Mbale shoots boy dead

In what you would call self defense, the afande pulled the trigger, shooting Sekate in the buttocks and he succumbed to the bullet wounds while he was being taken to the regional referral hospital which is a turn away from the crime scene.

Ambose Nambatya, a resident of Mbale says, Sekate and colleagues are part of a bigger problem was groomed right under their noses.

“The number of street kids has more than tripled in the past four years of my stay in this town. The number was so low that I recognized a face if we met days apart. They were a little disciplined back then. I didn’t imagine how they survived off “uncle mpayo kikumi”. The kikumi at times came and jeers did some other times,” Nambatya explains.

Nambatya narrates his experience with the street kids in Mbale. He says CRO, an NGO assisted almost all these children. They got meals, clothing, shelter and basic education. ‘I miss waking up to their voices singing every weekday. I recall the order of songs and how I would hum to “cast your burdens” a popular Anglican Church song I learnt in Kashozi in my Primary four.”

A lady who bridged CRO and the donor community passed on. Hell broke loose. It was the end of the road for these little ones. I have heard reports purporting the facility will be broken for some development.

The kids have had all the habits the streets would serve. They have however gradually gone rouge. A couple of days ago one attempted to break into a car while I waited inside the car for a friend who picked something from a shop across the road.

I have heard of tales of actual robbery in some of the town’s dark spots as early as 08:00 pm. They didn’t pick pockets or if they did, it was isolated cases. It is now on a large scale. They carry small knives. They are more badass and lethal than they were a year, two or three years ago.

I don’t know who to implore. Something ought to be done. Collective effort is what it will take.