Fear grips traders following violent riots in Geita’s Lulembela area

Mbogwe. Traders in the Lulembela area of Mbogwe District have kept their shops closed amid fears of arrest following a violent confrontation between citizens and police.

The unrest, which erupted on September 11, 2024, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and significant damage to the local police station.

According to a statement from Police Spokesperson David Misime, the deceased include an unidentified young man estimated to be between 18 and 20 years old, and Theresia John, an 18-year-old Form Four student from Lulembela Secondary School.

The violence began when a large crowd, estimated at around 800 people, stormed the police station demanding the release of two individuals suspected of child abduction.

The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi visited the area only to realise that over 50 shops remain shuttered as residents express their fear of potential police crackdowns.

Several locals, who requested anonymity due to concerns about police retribution, reported that not only are the shops closed, but many young men have also left their homes in an effort to avoid arrest.

The closure of shops and the halt in motorcycle operations have left residents struggling to access essential services.

Despite the widespread fear, Lulembela Ward Executive Officer Frank Gonyo clarified that there have been no official orders to prevent businesses from operating.

He attributed the current closures to the heightened anxiety among residents following the riots.

The police statement detailed that the unrest began when locals, suspecting two individuals of child abduction, began attacking them.

The situation escalated when the crowd, demanding the suspects’ release, surrounded the police station, leading to further violence and property damage.

Authorities are continuing their efforts to manage the situation and restore order, while local residents and traders await a return to normalcy.