“This is our event, Police should let us work, and they should not intervene” a voice was heard from one person within a group of Kifeesi guys who had been trying to steal from the crowd at the Rolex festival. This statement was directed to Police and security personnel that came in to stop the stampede that broke out amidst the Rolex festival activities.
The event that started well at around 10am had things turning upside down a few hours after the crowds grew bigger. In the crowd that was made of people who had come to have fan as they enjoy the Rolex, were those who paid their shs10,000 to steal from those who went to have a good time.
According to sources that identified some of the rowdy groups said they came from camps known as Kifeesi, Lipanda and b13 among others. The groups that hail from the slums of Katwe, Naguru and Kawempe used the advantage that security at the event was less and they used a few minutes to snatch phones and other valuables as they left the owners injured.
How they stole from people
While at social events, revelers are fond of capturing the moments, through taking selfies with their friends and photos of those at the event. Besides this, they keep chatting with friends as they enjoy the show.
It was a bad day yesterday when notorious gangs made of young boys (teenagers) planned to take on the event and steal from a few until police intervened.
Eagerly waiting for that Rolex. ALL PHOTOS BY GODFREY LUGAAJU
When more Police were deployed, they identified all those that looked suspicious and arrested those who failed to show their identity cards.
According to Micheal Kasingire the District Police Commander of Kira Road Police station, over 40 suspects were arrested.
Much as revelers thought the situation would worsen at night, police were conscious and the event moved on well.
According to Enid Mirembe the organizer, the event was underestimated, for they thought it would have the usual crowd.
“As soon as we realized that the goons had become unruly, we immediately called Kira Road Police, through the DPC who deployed more Police men in and outside the venue,” she said.
“We are going to make sure that the same doesn’t happen in the subsequent editions of the Rolex Festival as we shall ensure safety of the revelers, by requesting enough security” Mirembe said.
The event ended at 8pm before Cindy stepped on the stage to perform.
