Local News

13 charged with obstructing census

THIRTEEN people have appeared before a magistrate's court in Bukoba charged with sabotaging the ongoing national population and housing census and obstructing public officials from doing their duties.

The Kagera Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Philip Kalangi, said five of the suspects were from the Bukoba Municipality, five from Misenyi District, two from Muleba and one from Kyerwa district.

He said the accused face various charges including obstructing census officials from executing their duty, opposing to be enumerated  and inciting people not to be counted. He said if convicted the offences carry a sentence of six months imprisonment or a fine amounting to 600,000/- or both.

Hundreds of Bukoba residents on Monday afternoon gathered at the Bukoba High Court premises to know the fate of their colleagues who were rounded up by police in connection with the ongoing population and housing Census.

It was not immediately established what were their demands, but  around 20 armed policemen were seen patrolling the area ready to disperse the crowd. The census kicked off last Sunday and would last for seven days.