Interpol recovers MP Katuntu's stolen car from Kenya

Interpol boss Fred Yiga handing over the recovered car to Katuntu

                 
Interpol Uganda has recovered Bugweri Member of Parliament (MP), Abdu Katuntu's vehicle which had been stolen from Uganda and taken to Eldoret in Kenya.

Interpol detectives have also arrested a one Mutwani Muluwa Basalirwa for allegedly stealing the MP's saloon car, a Nissan Datsun, from his home in Iganga district on March 27, 2017.

CIID and Interpol spokesperson, Vicent Ssekate, said investigations show that Basalirwa went to Katuntu's home and contacted a one Paul Nyende, a helper at the MP's home, who was entrusted with keeping the vehicle.

"It is alleged that Basalirwa asked Nyende to assist him with the vehicle so that he (Basalirwa) could go for burial in Bugiri district. Instead, Basalirwa drove the vehicle to Busia (Uganda-Kenya border) and sold it to a one John Kipsang, who drove it to Eldoret," Ssekate explained.

Ssekate said a team of detectives from Interpol Uganda worked with their counterparts from Interpol Kenya to ensure that the tracking of the car and recovery was a success.

He said Interpol head office was contacted and a team of detectives was sent to Eldoret where the said vehicle was recovered.

At the time of the recovery, the vehicle's registration number plate had been changed to KAQ 785T, replacing the Ugandan number plate (UAD 457G) which it had.          
      
Police has time and again battled a racket of car thieves some of whom trick the owners before stealing their cars like it was the case with Katuntu's. Other thieves use master cars, some duplicate the car keys from washing bays and garages, while others steal them at gunpoint.

However, Police has had a hard time to recover vehicles stolen from Uganda and taken to DR Congo because of the vast nature of the country and unwillingness of the police there to cooperate with their Ugandan counterparts.