Joshua Nahamya
Police in Mbarara City through an intelligence-led operation has netted 9 suspects who have been terrorizing Mbarara City plus the neighboring districts of Isingiro, Kiruhura, and Ibanda and Sheema municipality
According to police spokesperson ASP Samson Kasasira, the group has been trailed for a while after several crimes were reported at Mbarara central police station starting in June.
“We have managed to arrest 10 people including bodaboda riders suspected to be behind the pang-wielding, thefts, and burglary that have been occurring in the city and in the neighboring areas,” Kasasira said
The racket is big and has been aiding and abetting crimes involving panga-wielding thugs mostly from areas of Kakiika cell, Lugazi cell and Rugasha cell, Nyamitoma cell in Sheema Municipality, he added.
Some of the arrested suspects include; Darius Mukundane, Kakuru Dominic, Nulu Muwonge, Abdu Ukash, Kennedy Nsimire Kennedy, Charles Namanya, Farouk Lubega, and Derrick Nuwagaba among others.
Among the recovered household properties are; phones, clothes, TV sets, Hoofers, Mattresses, and cameras from Ebenezer Arcade located on High Street Mbarara where the suspects have been selling the stolen items.
“We also confiscated a motor vehicle No. UBM141E Toyota and two motorcycles as modes of transport which aid them to carry the stolen items” said Kasasira
Michael Muhereza thanked police for recovering some of his property that was stolen from his bar in Kabwohe town Council Sheema Municipality.
“I reported the matter to the police who managed to recover part of the property which was stolen from my bar. And in Kabwohe these people break our houses, supermarkets and shops and steal our property especially during the night” Muhereza said
Adolf Ayoreka, one of the victims in Mbarara also narrated how the group attacked him and stole some of his gadgets as he was driving on the Buremba-Kakoba road.
“They attacked me at night with pangas, and I could not fight them because I feared for my life. They walked away with my laptop, bag, camera and a phone. I appeal police to intensify both foot and motorised operations especially in dark spot areas where these thugs take advantage” Ayoreka said
Kasasira said the operation is still ongoing and asked members of the public to prioritize their security at night.
The spokesperson attached the increased crime cases in Mbarara to the Christmas season which is drawing nearer.
“When the festive season draws nearer, it’s a time when people start looking for the money to enjoy during the eve. This is a reason why we have registered a number of bodaboda murders in Mbarara city and elsewhere” said Kasasira
Police cautioned members of the public to be vigilant, especially during Christmas days.
“We appeal to the people to avoid buying second hand property which has no receipt. We also appeal to the landlords, lodge operators and LC chairpersons to know the kind of people living in their communities”. He added
Kasasira said that “Whoever lost any of the household property, should come to Mbarara CPS and check on the recovered items as we embark on the process of giving them back to the owners”.
The suspects are still held at Mbarara CPS on charges of aggravated robbery but will be aligned in court after police investigations.
