Police busts motorbike theft racket

By Janefer Akol Akwoli            

The Police in Kampala are holding nine men suspected to be part of a racket that steals motorbikes and alters their registration number plates before selling them to unsuspecting buyers.

Old Kampala Police station boss Emmanuel Ochamringa last week said they busted the racket after a tip off from residents of Kisenyi.

Some of the suspects in police custody were identified as Emmanuel Manilagaba, Herbert Damulira, and Godfrey Kaddu.

The names of the others were not disclosed.

The suspects at Old Kampala police station. PHOTO/Janefer Akol Akwoli

Ochamringa noted that Police and the community should strengthen the partnership in fighting crime.

He cautioned the public to verify the particulars of motorbikes that they intend to purchase.

“While purchasing motorcycles from brokers one should first make agreements, provide receipts and even update the police or any local leader for emergency against various criminal cases,” said Ochamringa.

He stated that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects would be forwarded to courts of law.

Ochamringa disclosed that Police has embarked on a crackdown to weed out boda boda theft.

Police last week stormed the city suburb of Kisenyi and recovered over 20 motorcycles with fake number plates at a garage near Aids Information Centre on Musajja Alumba Road.

It was discovered that Herbert Damulira altered the original number plate, UDV 194E, of a motorbike to UDV 436W and sold at sh1.67m to Emmanuel Nsubuga who is said to have been linked by Kaddu.

One suspect identified as Ronald Nsubuga claims that he had gone with his father to purchase a motorbike.

Chief inspector of the Boda-Boda Association, Amon Lugamba, and its defence secretary Lubowa omuzilango, assisted Police in the swoop.

Lugamba explained the tactics used by the culprits, saying they always try to dupe Police.

“After thieves stealing boda bodas, they report immediately to nearby police stations or traffic police the 'loss' of their number plates upon which they are given references. They then destroy the original number plates," said Lugamba.