Bar Owners Warned against Alcohol-fueled Violent Crimes

Police has warned bar owners across the country and tasked them to come up with safeguards, following multiple incidents of violence, including stabbings, brawls and hospitalizations from drunk fights, assaults and fights for women.

Police Spokesman SCP Fred Enanga cited the December 13 incident where at around 1am, at Apex Bar Lyantonde, a one CPL Kenneth Amanya,  alias Rwamulago, attached to Revenue Enforcement, was attacked and strangled to death by one Akim, who tried to befriend his girlfriend Apophia Kyampire. The suspect followed the victim, when he moved out briefly, and strangled him to death in the corridor, next to the bar. He was arrested together with the cashier Immaculate Kyomugisha, and Joshua and detained at Lyantonde CPS.

On that very day, at around 10pm, one Michael Opio and his wife Monica Nyaoro developed a misunderstanding at a drinking joint, where she accused her husband of loving another woman whom he was seen standing with along the road that evening. A scuffle ensued, after which the wife ran home, picked a knife, returned and stabbed her husband in the neck. The victim was rushed to Express Care Clinic, where he bled to death. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. The murder weapon was recovered.

In another development, the police in Luuka district has in custody three suspects after a month-long investigation established that a one Muhammad Kiribaki, a 28-year-old, peasant of Iganga “A” village was murdered in Makalibisho Bar on November 12 and his body dumped at Gwembuzzi village. This led to the arrest of Eriakest Nabongho, a 30-year-old cashier, Steven Swaga, 56, and Jannet Mukhoda, a 22-year-old hairdresser. The victim was tortured from the bar to death and the body was transported and dumped near his village. He had several injuries to the head, on the arms, and the left finger cut off.

The incidents above show that there are no safeguards by the proprietors and managers, thus allowing excessive alcohol consumption, drug use and related acts of dangerous behaviors and violence. Other complainants are poor stewards and bouncers at doors, fight over women, football fan violence, and alcoholic and drug-fuelled crimes. In most cases, the victims are referred to a hospital and the incidents are not reported to the police.

"This time around, we are taking a keen interest in bar crimes. If a crime is concealed or poorly managed, with zero guards, unqualified staff, and bouncers, which risk a customer, they will be summoned for negligence, complacency and other related offenses," said Enanga.

"Our territorial commanders are also preparing a catalog of profiled incidents at bars, which they will further use to recommend for the closure or removal of operating licenses. We, therefore, urge all bar owners to have qualified stewards, staff, security, a system of reporting incidents, and training on how to deal with violent or intoxicated customers. If possible, have CCTV cameras in place and medical rooms for first aid treatment."