33 netted in Police operation targeting city gangs

Oct 09, 2018

The arrests were conducted by Flying Squad Unit following public outcry from the people in the areas of Makindye, Entebbe, and Busaabala respectively

Thirty three people including two women have been arrested and detained at Kampala Central Police Station for purportedly belonging to notorious criminal gangs that terrorise the city.

According to Police, the suspects belong to groups that involve in criminal activities including: theft of money, mobile phones, motor vehicles, house break-ins and smoking marijuana, were nabbed in various security operations on Saturday.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, identified the two female suspects as Eve Nantege and Shamim Nakalema.

Other suspects are John Galaba, Ntebe Isabirye, Onesmus Kushaba, Robert Twinamatsiko, James Wandega, Francis Mugalu, Khalid Dyabayika, Abraham Segaala, Vincent Kasamba, Dodovico Kalungi, Aaron Magezi, Deo Mbabazi, Ivan Mpalu, Ibrahim Ssebuguzi, Franco Kyambalago, James Yawe, Livingstone Mugabe, Kassim Mukiibi, Reuben Sevvume, Charles Byaruhanga, David Kigozi, Cosmas Nsereko, Ambrose Masai, David Kizito, Dodovico Muwonge,  Henry Sekabira, Badiru Ndiko, Sadat Sebatta, Anthony Muliika, and Geoffrey Ssemata.

It is alleged that the female suspects have been supplying the gang with narcotic drugs.

Police investigations show that several criminal gang members that terrorise Kampala and its suburbs are recruited among street children as well as ex-convicts.

Owoyesigyire revealed that the arrests were conducted by Flying Squad Unit following public outcry from people in the areas of Makindye, Entebbe, and Busaabala respectively.

He disclosed that all the suspects shall be subjected to screening before they are arraigned in the courts of law to answer charges of theft.

"We have preferred charges of theft to all the suspects as we continue with our investigations into the matter vide case file SD 27/01/10/18," he said.

He said the suspects use the stolen items, especially phones, to solicit money from the victims' friends and relatives by duping them that the owner of the phone is either arrested or have had an accident.

"When they steal someone's phone, these tricksters goes straight to your phonebook and start scrolling it in search for the victim's common calling number so that they can use it to con his or her friends claiming to be a Good Samaritan from either Police or hospitals," he added.

Meanwhile, Police urged members of the public to feed them with information regarding suspected criminals in the Kampala suburbs to enable them plan a crackdown before the festive season.

Besides the infamous Kifeesi crew, there are several new criminal gangs suspected to have cropped up in Kampala and its suburbs.

It is thought that in the city centre, a new wave of criminals has emerged. The group reportedly operates on Sundays while targeting vendors during and after selling their merchandise as well as their clients.

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