Virus, which is believed to be the biggest is led by a one Batema and operates in Katende, Bugembe, Masese Kibuga Mbaata, Mafubira and Nakanyonyi in jinja municipality.
Eric Sakwa, the Jinja Deputy Resident District Commissioner, says the groups are operating freely because they are assisted by a section of leaders. He says one of the gangs is connected to the recent murder of a nine-year-old boy, whose body was found dumped at Namulese.
Sakwa says they have identified some of the group leaders as Bafana, Mutale, Reagan, Junior and Samanya all residents of Jinja. He says the efforts of security to eliminate the groups are being frustrated by some local leaders who bail out the group members.
He notes that security operatives have now embarked on engaging residents through village meetings to brief them about the new wave of crime.
Jinja municipality has of recent experienced a spate of murders and other crimes especially in areas of Walukuba, Bugembe and Mafubira.
Godfrey Mugizi, the Jinja District Police Commander has appealed to the public to provide police with information that can help police to arrest the suspected criminal gang members.