Gulu local leaders have cautioned residents of Agwee Cell, Agwee parish, Pece-Laroo City Division, Gulu City, against neglecting their children, arguing that many young people are engaging in criminal activities that have become a security concern.

Willfred Okot, the Local Council I chairperson for Agwee Ward, made the remarks during a community baraza held in Agwee Cell on Sunday, 25 October 2026, following a rise in criminal activities in the area.

Earlier this month, a student at Gulu University was found dead by the roadside in Agwee after reportedly being beaten to death by unknown individuals at dusk.

In a separate incident, a five-month-old baby girl was found by the roadside, with some parts of her body eaten by dogs. The baby was later buried near a water stream before city leaders exhumed the remains and reburied them at their burial to Gulu city cemetery.

In another incident, a baby was found in a pit latrine but was rescued by community members and police officers. These incidents have since raised serious concerns among local leaders.

Also read: Gulu University student allegedly strangled, robbed; suspects arrested

Willfred Okot appealed to parents to take responsibility for their children’s well-being, adding that he was working jointly with security personnel to address the situation.

“We are planning to work together with other sister security agencies and community members to clear the bushes believed to be hiding places for street gangs,” the LCI chairperson said.

Okot added that they were investigating landlords who rent out houses to tenants, particularly those where more than five adults live together without employment.

“Some parents are threatening me following the arrests of individuals suspected of being behind the criminal activities, but that will never discourage me from doing the right thing,” Okot revealed.

The woman councillor II for Agwee Ward, Jackline Odida, appealed to mothers to remain vigilant and monitor the children with whom their own children associate. She urged residents to report suspicious activities to their Local Council I leaders.

“Some street gangs travel from Lacor and spend every evening in Agwee carrying out their operations. They have no mercy, and their plan is to kill at night.

“Landlords should ensure that tenants present introduction letters from their respective local leaders before being allowed to occupy their houses,” she said.

Jackline called on community members to monitor pregnant women to prevent cases of newborn babies being abandoned. She also cautioned people attending night discos and other social gatherings to take precautions against sexual violence, particularly among female university students.

Peter Okello, an Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Science at Gulu University, appealed to the LCI chairperson and his executive committee to identify individuals threatening him so that appropriate action could be taken to stop such acts in the community.

“Some parents are even encouraging their children to join street gangs because they use the stolen items, while others buy them from the children. This has made the gangs remain active in the area,” he said.

“There are public places and government facilities that should not be used as hiding places for street gangs. However, due to the overgrown bushes around areas such as Gulu College of Health Sciences, near Nile Secondary School, and opposite Gulu Town, these places are being used as hiding spots by criminals. The eucalyptus forests have also become hiding places for criminals,” Okello added.

Christopher Canagola, another community member, called on the police to ensure that suspects were handled in accordance with the law and that appropriate action was taken against those found responsible for criminal offences.

“Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should coordinate their activities to support children who are at home and those living on the streets. Most of these children take advantage of staying on the streets because they believe that doing so will make organisations prioritise them,” he added.

Susan Aloyo Ochola encouraged community members to conduct public awareness campaigns targeting children and mobilise funds for initiatives aimed at changing their mindsets and providing them with productive activities.

“Chasing children away from the streets would not solve the problem. Instead, we should find alternative ways of keeping them engaged by teaching them practical skills, such as making liquid soap, as we use Gulu Town Primary School the venue,” she advised the community.

Tonny Okot Ayoli, a community member, urged Gulu University security officials to work closely with security personnel in Agwee Cell during student orientation programmes and campus barazas organised by the university.

“Community members should be involved in campus barazas so that students can get to know community members and learn more about the area,” he appealed.

The Officer in Charge (OC) of Gulu University Police Station, Patrick Opio, said security agencies were committed to maintaining peace and order in society. He appealed to residents to work hard to achieve their goals rather than engage in theft.

“We are going to work together with other sister security agencies to maintain peace and order so that we can arrest all the suspected criminals who are wanted,” the OC said.

“We are calling on community members to cooperate with security agencies and provide information that could help investigate criminal activities. I am also warning residents of Agwee against mob justice because the police do not support such acts,” he added.

The Gulu City Police Commander, Joseph Karugaba, said residents of Agwee had been reluctant to share information with the police until community meetings were organised.

“Some of you, the residents of this area, appear unwilling to identify suspected street gang members, yet some of the suspects are your own children living within your households and community,” Karugaba said.

“Police contact numbers remain unchanged, and I urge residents to use them to report criminal activities rather than waiting for community gatherings to raise their concerns,” he cautioned.

Karugaba also urged residents to allow suspected street gang members to be arrested and go through the appropriate legal processes, saying this could give them an opportunity to reform and learn to become responsible members of society.

He further warned that some people involved in selling alcohol and drugs and buying stolen property were contributing to criminal activities. He said residents found engaging in such activities should be arrested and investigated for appropriate action.

The Mayor of Pece-Laroo City Division, Gifter Aber, said several residents had reported theft cases to her office.

She appealed to parents to take greater responsibility for their children and urged owners of idle land to clear overgrown bushes that could be used as hiding places by criminals. She also raised concerns about incidents involving babies being abandoned or disposed of in pit latrines.

The Resident City Commissioner for Pece-Laroo, Peter Banya, said the meeting had helped expose some suspected wrongdoers after residents presented written lists containing names of individuals they believed were involved in criminal activities.

He said information provided by community members had contributed to the arrest of some suspects during the meeting.

Banya said: “I urge all Local Council I leaders within the city division to organise community barazas and encourage universities to adopt this approach to help reduce crime. We are also going to deploy more security personnel in crime hotspots.”

Banya also raised concerns about young people moving into urban areas in search of better opportunities without adequate resources or support, saying some could become vulnerable to criminal activities.

Several suspects were arrested during and before the meeting, including individuals accused of harbouring suspects in different locations.