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Police have arrested five suspects two weeks after a daring robbery in which a businessman was trailed and robbed of shillings 150 million by men riding on bodabodas.

The stolen cash had been withdrawn by the victim, Kaludinali Ssemanda, to pay salaries and cover expenses at Zavuga Coffee Factory in Kalisizo district.

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma confirmed the arrests while addressing journalists at the Police headquarters in Nagurum Kampala on September 9, 2024.

According to Kituuma, the robbery occurred after Ssemanda had withdrawn the money from a bank and parked his vehicle at one of his homes.

Unbeknownst to him, a group of bodaboda-riding thieves had trailed him from the bank and seized the opportunity to steal the money from his car.

The breakthrough in the case came when Police operatives arrested a suspect identified as Gerald Mwanje alias Kigere, who had been captured on CCTV footage stealing the bag containing the cash from Ssemanda's car.

"Following Ssemanda’s report of the theft, our team launched an operation, and the CCTV footage proved crucial in identifying Mwanje as the prime suspect," Kituuma said. "He was seen breaking into the car and making away with the money."

After his arrest, Mwanje led the Police to his accomplices: Joseph Kajimu, alias Bruno; Alex Lule, alias Doodo; Alex Nabema, a witch doctor who allegedly provided surveillance on Ssemanda; and Fred Ssenteza. The suspects were apprehended in separate operations over the past two weeks.

"We are continuing our investigation to ensure that all those involved are held accountable," Kituuma added. "This was a well-coordinated criminal effort, but thanks to the collaboration between our operatives and the public, we were able to apprehend the suspects".

Kituuma revealed that the group had planned the robbery for several days, monitoring Ssemanda's movements and waiting for the right moment to strike. Witchdoctor Nabema allegedly played a key role in keeping tabs on the businessman and advising the robbers on when to carry out the heist.

The five suspects are currently in Police custody and are set to face charges of aggravated robbery.

In light of the incident, Kituuma issued a stern warning to the public about the dangers of carrying large sums of money without proper security measures.

He urged business owners and individuals to avoid transporting significant amounts of cash without an escort, particularly in areas known for high levels of crime.

“We have seen an increase in cases where individuals carrying large sums of money are targeted by criminals, especially those using boda bodas for quick getaways,” Kituuma said. “It is important to take extra precautions when handling large amounts of cash. We encourage people to use bank transfers, cheques, or digital payment systems whenever possible".

He added that those who must transport large sums should always seek police escort services or hire professional security personnel to prevent such incidents.

Kituuma also encouraged businesses to install CCTV cameras at their premises and homes, noting that surveillance footage had played a critical role in identifying the suspects in this case.

"Security is a shared responsibility," Kituuma concluded. "We need cooperation from the public to ensure the safety of everyone. We will continue to crack down on criminal elements and bring them to justice, but preventive measures are equally important."