By Patrick Jaramogi
DEFENCE ministry permanent Secretary Brig. Noble Mayombo’s luxury Cygnus V8 is among the few cars that have been screened and cleared after they were impounded during “Operation Umoja”. By press time, the Police had cleared only nine cars.

The operation, geared towards cracking down on stolen vehicles, was earlier conducted in Tanzania and Kenya. It shifts to Rwanda and South Africa this week.

A total of 158 vehicles were impounded in the three-day joint swoop conducted by Interpol and the Police in Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Masaka, Mbarara and Arua districts.

Mayombo’s vehicle and that of pastors Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre and Imelda Kula Namutebi of Liberty Worship Centre, Lugala, were among 58 vehicles suspected to have been stolen. Police said most of the cars were stolen from Japan, the UK and South Africa.

At Jinja Road Police Station where at least 100 cars impounded from Kampala are parked, Mayombo’s was not seen where it was initially parked. A senior Police officer at the station said, “That car was cleared at the weekend. Don’t ask me more questions.” Mayombo could not be reached for comment.

Kampala Police chief Grace Turyagumanawe yesterday said 91 vehicles were at Jinja Road, one is parked at Kira Road Police Station while one is at Kabalagala.

The one at Kira Road, a Toyota Lexus UAF 296R that according to Interpol was allegedly stolen from Japan, belongs to a senior Pride Uganda official.

Asked why it is still parked at Kira Road, Turyagumanawe said, “The driver of that vehicle refused to drive to Jinja Road. We are still looking for him.”

Interpol Uganda chief Kagoro said, “The response is still very slow. Many impounded car owners have not yet responded. We appeal to them to come so that the exercise is expeditiously concluded.”

The deputy director of CID, Okoth Ochola, said, “We shall come up with the final position on the seized cars by tomorrow.”