HUYE – Authorities in Huye District have vowed to put an end to the brewing of banned local brew as well as theft in the district.

Speaking at a news conference last week, the Mayor, Eugene Kayiranga Muzuka, noted that efforts to crackdown on illegal drug dealers and criminals are routinely conducted in the town and its environs.

"Our efforts are making a positive change in the security of this region because we are seeing a significant reduction in the number of registered crimes,” he said.

In the past, reports of burglary as well as petty crimes in and outside the town were rampant.

Local residents have often bemoaned laxity in halting the level of criminality, claiming that some well-known criminals go about their business unhindered..

They pointed out Rwabayanga, Agahenerezo and Rwabuye as some of the most notorious areas where suspected criminals roam freely and where stolen property is sold openly.

Local residents and authorities have also cited the illegal brewing of banned liquor commonly known as Nyirantare, Ibikwangari and Muriture, as criminal dens.

Reacting on the issue, Muzuka noted that efforts to stop the illegal trade were underway.

"Every week, we conduct security operations in areas we suspect such brews are produced or traded. People involved in the business are arrested and dealt with according to the law,” Muzuka said.

"Sometimes, people get involved in such conduct because of poverty. We do encourage residents to form cooperatives and we are striving to improve the social wellbeing of our residents as a way of curbing the rate of criminality in the region,” he added.

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