Kayanja Nets Chief Suspect

By Grace MatsikoA UPDF veteran suspected to have been the main supplier of guns for use in the recent wave of murders and robberies in Kampala city has been captured by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).Sgt Meddie Ibanda alias Meddie Mulema was captured in Kampala on Tuesday night, Col. Elly Kayanja, the overall commander of Operation Wembley, the code-name given to the current security operation to counter an upsurge of robberies and murders in the city, said yesterday.“He (Mulema) has been linked to hardcore criminals. He is said to provide guns to robbers,” Kayanja, the deputy director general of ISO, said. Kayanja addressed over 20 suspected gangsters who are being detained at Operation Wembley base on Clement Hill Road.Mulema, an executive member of Umoja, an association of army veterans operating from Katwe, first posed as an informer but later went into hiding after supplying information to armed gang cells, which he allegedly commands. Members of the cells have already been killed or gone underground, Kayanja said.“You are my friend. We were together in the army. I could not believe it when they brought me information that you are part of the robbers. Even after I contacted you for an explanation, you decided to play monkey tricks,” Kayanja told Mulema. “I would have killed you long time ago as I have done to your colleagues but I gave you time to denounce thuggery,” Kayanja who talked to the suspects casually added.As he addressed the suspects, another man, Sulaiman Nsubuga, was brought in by the operatives. He was accused of impersonating ISO staff and demanding money from one of the relatives of the suspects.He said his team has arrested more suspected thugs but their names could not be disclosed till investigations are completed.Kayanja said some of the detainees had confessed to robbing and had offered information that has led to the recovery of vehicles and other property.Kayanja’s team yesterday carried out operations in Makindye, Nateete, Ndeeba, all city suburbs, where they recovered a wide range of household items said to have been stolen.Kayanja said some politicians were trying to sabotage the operation.Ends