Joint operations to continue after Bodaboda 2010 arrests

PIC: Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima (left) and army deputy spokesperson Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki addressing a joint press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on Monday. (Credit: Abbey Ramadhan)

SECURITY

KAMPALA - Ugandan security agencies will continue joint operations following the arrest of several members of the Bodaboda 2010 group in connection with the recent murder of an accountant and other criminal acts.

"There are people who are still at large that we would want in our possession, and I can only assure them that we shall get them and be brought to justice," the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) deputy spokesperson, Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, told reporters in Kampala on Monday.

During the joint press conference with the Police at the Uganda Media Centre, Akiiki explained the recent joint security operations, in which over 20 suspected members of the Bodaboda 2010 were arrested in various parts of the city.

The group's patron, Abdallah Kitatta, was also arrested, alongside his brother Huzairu Kiwalabye, in connection with the murder of Francis Ekalungar, an accountant who was working with Case Hospital in Kampala.

Ekalungar was reported missing early this year, before his body was later found in Kajjansi, burned beyond recognition. The discovery sparked off a series of investigations into the 49-year-old's brutal end.

Abdallah Kitatta, the patron of the Bodaboda 2010 group, was arrested on Saturday. (File photo)

'We had leads'

In the wake of the investigations, several arrests were made, particularly of members of Bodaboda 2010, linked to the accountant's murder.

"We had leads from different technical intelligence and human intelligence. We were able to apprehend prime suspects and certain evidence, which I am sure the Police and the prosecution system will use to bring to book those who are at the moment alleged to have participated in the murder of Francis Ekalungar, an employee of Case Clinic Hospital," Akiiki told reporters.

He urged security actors to see that the people behind the killing face justice.

"Since that time, we have been working together as a team. No matter which security agency you belong to, make sure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book," the army deputy spokesperson said.

"We could not tell: were these perpetrators terrorists abducting our people and killing them? The Police could not tell: are these criminals we know we having running about with? The internal security could not tell: are these people who are planning to destabilise the internal security of the country?

"Therefore, we had to come together to bring our leads to make sure that we reach the final conclusion of this matter. And therefore, acting on very technical, precise intelligence, we were able to get leads that led to the arrest of a one Kiwalabye Huzairu by our CMI [Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence] operatives under the joint taskforce. Thereafter, after different interrogations and other arrests, it led us to arrest more people, including one Abdallah Kitatta," Akiiki explained.

Congolese nationals arrested

Kitatta was reportedly arrested by military operatives from Vinetea Hotel in Wakaliga-Nateete in Kampala late Saturday.

"Kitatta happened to be a brother to Kiwalabye. Others who were arrested include Mawa Muzamiru, driver to Dr. Ssebale Kato, the proprietor of Case Hospital. We had one Kikandi Muhindo and Bizimani David, both Congolese nationals and it is through them and within the vicinity they stayed that the vehicle that is suspected to have been used by the late Ekulagar was discovered."

The car, a Premio, was found Sunday morning during a raid by military intelligence personnel of residential houses in Kabowa, a city suburb. Another car, believed to have been stolen, was also found at the residence.

During the raid, which started at about 2:00am local time, three suspects were arrested: Mawa Muzamiru, 36, Muhindo, 38 and Fagil Muwendo, 36.

"The number plate of the discovered vehicle had been altered. (The original one was UAW 899U, which was replaced with a UAT 764L)). In this operation, there were attempts to interfere with the arresting officers to obstruct justice, including obstruction at Top Radio, by closing roads, by using the media to mobilise other people against the security forces," Akiiki revealed.

He added: "I do not think this is acceptable, and the security forces will do their best to make sure you get out of their way. This is what led to the arrest of other people, over 20 of them."

Others still at large

Akiiki told the press that there are more details that they would not make public to enable "smooth" investigations and prosecution.

"As UPDF, we will continue working with our sister agencies to make sure we help each other to obtain this goal (finding the perpetrators). Order, security and law are all security elements that, at the end of the day, aim at achieveing  the goal of having a secure country, peace and security.

"No matter who does this operation,  everybody aims at that. So, we are continuing with operations. There are people who are still at large that we would want in our possession and I can only assure them that we shall get them and be brought to justice," Akiiki said.

At the joint press briefing, Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima warned the public against taking the law into their own hands and said security organs are working together.

"The Police, especially the CIID, and sister security agencies are working hand-in-hand to screen, to see who is culpable, so that justice can be done. Unfortunately, in this country, some people want to take the law into their hands," he said.

"This [Monday] very morning, as I was coming in, some new developments were happening at some places, particularly at the offices of Bodaboda 2010. There were sporadic attacks, and this is taking the law into your own hands. The Police in Nateete, Old Kampala and Katwe have intervened. Some furniture and paper work has been burned. This is unfortunate, we condemn it," Kayima said.

"We ask all Ugandans to respect rule of law, to allow the law to work, as we are doing. It is in our interest to find justice. We ask anyone who has issues to present them for all of us to do a good job in as far as curtailing crime is concerned."


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