By Alan Clement
Nimule municipal authorities have pledged to take “tough measures” against a resurgence of gang-related criminal activities.
The official made the call following a meeting with community leaders from the area.
The announcement was made on the evening of Thursday August 29th, 2025, during a security meeting which brought together chiefs, youth leaders, religious figures, and heads of organized forces.
The move, spearheaded by Mayor Caesar Longa Fuli, comes in response to mounting public pressure and a resolution passed by the Eastern Equatoria State revitalized transitional legislative assembly.
Nimule had enjoyed relative calm in the past three months following the upgrading of the municipality and the appointment of Mayor Longa Fuli. But renewed gang attacks on Wednesday night reignited concerns, prompting calls for immediate action.
During an exclusive interview with No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on Sunday, Nimule Municipality’s Inspector of Police, Maj. David Kasimiro, disclosed that a group of suspected gang members stormed the central market around 6 PM on Wednesday, triggering panic among vendors and shoppers which left the market abandoned as people fled the scene.
He said the Police responded promptly, causing the gang to disperse. “We responded swiftly to restore order, and managed to arrest eight individuals involved in the chaos,” said Maj. Kasimiro. “Some escaped into Uganda, but we’ve maintained patrols since that day to ensure the safety of our people and deter any future disturbances,” he added.
A statement from the mayor’s office revealed that the mayor strongly emphasized the urgent need to confront rising insecurity, declaring, “We cannot allow our youth to be consumed by crime and lawlessness.
Tough measures must be taken.” Speaking during the meeting, he underscored that the crackdown would be paired with targeted efforts to regulate local businesses and curb illicit economic activities fueling unrest.
In addition to hard-line enforcement, the meeting emphasized long-term community engagement. Local leaders proposed grassroots strategies to educate youth and steer them away from criminal networks. “We must encourage our young people to shun crime and engage in productive activities,” one community elder stated.
The dual approach which combines immediate security interventions with preventative social measures aims to address both the symptoms and root causes of gang violence.
Yet, the inclusion of a controversial “shoot to kill” clause in the legislative resolution has sparked debate over the balance between public safety and civil liberties.
For now, Nimule’s leadership insists that a firm hand, paired with long-term community engagement, is the only way to restore safety and stability in the town.