Soroti RDC Declares War on Drug Abuse and Crime

In a determined effort to curb the rising crime rates in Tubur Sub-County, Soroti Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Paul Eseru has vowed to take decisive action against drug abuse, particularly the rampant use of marijuana.

The commitment came during his recent visit to Achuna Parish, where he engaged with the local community in a dialogue about security concerns and developmental issues affecting the area.

Since his transfer to Soroti District, Mr. Eseru had not yet had an opportunity to interact with the people of Tubur.

This visit served as both an introduction and a platform to address critical challenges faced by the community, most notably the increasing levels of crime attributed to drug abuse.

His visit aimed to foster a collaborative approach in tackling these issues and strengthening the relationship between the government and the local population.

During the meeting, Soroti District Police Commander (DPC) Afande Moses Olang provided a disturbing report on crime statistics for this year.

He revealed that in January, 43 criminal cases were recorded, followed by 45 cases in February and 39 cases in March.

The leading crimes during this period were assault and theft, with investigations linking most incidents to substance abuse.

The community identified marijuana consumption as a major contributor, as intoxicated individuals often engaged in violent and criminal behavior

As the meeting progressed, community members expressed their frustration over the drug problem and unanimously agreed that anyone found smoking, selling or growing marijuana should face immediate imprisonment.

Residents argued that drug abuse was not only fueling crime but also destroying the lives of young people and hindering development in the area.

In response, RDC Eseru assured the locals that his office would take immediate action against drug related crimes.

He emphasized that those involved in the sale and cultivation of marijuana should cease immediately or risk severe legal consequences.

“Anyone caught in this illegal activity will be dealt with according to the law,” he warned.

Beyond drug abuse and crime, Mr. Eseru expressed concern over the declining education standards in the district.

He strongly criticized parents who prioritize alcohol consumption over their children’s education, warning that such negligence would not be tolerated.

“Parents who fail to take their children to school should prepare to face the consequences,” he declared, emphasizing that education is the foundation of progress and a key factor in reducing crime rates.

He linked the poor academic performance in Soroti to the lack of parental involvement in their children’s education and urged parents to take their responsibilities seriously.

He reminded them that failure to invest in their children’s future would only perpetuate poverty and social problems in the community.

Mr. Eseru also addressed land conflicts, another pressing issue in the region.

He advised residents to avoid taking land disputes to court, arguing that judicial officers often lack indepth knowledge of community land history.

Instead, he encouraged people to resolve such matters with local council leaders and clan elders who have a better understanding of land ownership and boundaries.

Furthermore, he directed local council leaders to hold regular monthly meetings with the community.

These meetings, he explained, would provide a forum for discussing challenges and finding collective solutions to issues affecting the people.

Strengthening local governance structures, he noted, would lead to better management of disputes and foster peace and stability in the region.

RDC Eseru reaffirmed his commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring that those involved in criminal activities face justice.