Pader Police introduce neighborhood watch scheme

8 September 2026, 16:20

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Pader District Police have introduced a Neighborhood Watch Policing Scheme aimed at strengthening community security and combating crime in Pajule and Pader Town Councils.

The initiative was introduced during a security meeting held on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Pajule Town Council headquarters.

The meeting brought together Local Council One and Two leaders, the Officer in Charge of a neighboring police outpost of Pajule Town Council, Pajule Sub-County, Lapul, Bongtiko, and Poroagali and a team of police officers from Pader Central Police Station led by the District Police Commander, Jackson Bogere.

Speaking during the meeting, Bogere said the programme will initially be piloted in Pajule Town Council and Pader Town Council before it is considered for expansion to other areas.

He said the scheme will involve grouping between 10 and 20 homesteads into smaller units, where residents will know one another and take responsibility for monitoring their neighborhoods.

Bogere said the initiative is intended to address persistent community security concerns, including theft of domestic animals, poultry theft, break-ins and other forms of crime.

He urged Local Council leaders to know the people and households within their areas, saying effective security and service delivery require accurate information about the communities they lead.

According to Bogere, the Neighborhood Watch scheme will not only focus on security but will also help leaders monitor development activities and government programmes.

He said leaders would be better placed to know about visitors entering their communities, livestock movements, children of school-going age who are not attending school, births, conflicts and other important developments.

Bogere also stressed the importance of effective communication between communities and authorities, saying accurate information can help police and other government agencies respond quickly and appropriately to emerging problems.

Pajule Town Council LCIII Chairperson, Okello Titto Brilliant, said the programme will provide local leaders with additional sources of information from the grassroots.

Okello said the initiative, also known as “Mulango Kumi” in Kiswahili, involves grouping households into smaller units and appointing leaders to coordinate information and report developments to the relevant authorities.

He said Pajule was selected for the pilot because the area has experienced a number of crime-related cases.

Okello said regular sensitisation meetings will be conducted to help residents understand and embrace the programme.

He added that a WhatsApp group has been created for LC1 and LC2 leaders and members of the local government security committee to facilitate quick sharing of information.

LCII Chairperson for Latuturu, Charles Komagum, welcomed the initiative, saying it will ease the work of Local Council leaders by helping them identify residents and understand developments within their communities.

Another LCII Chairperson, Odoch Apolo, pledged to work with LC1 leaders to ensure successful implementation of the programme.

The leaders called for continued cooperation between communities, local government authorities and police to make the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme effective.