38 suspected robbers paraded
Oct 28, 2008
THE Rapid Response Unit (RRU) has arrested 38 suspected robbers who have been terrorising Kampala, its suburbs and the countryside.
By Patrick Jaramogi and Richard Kanamugire
THE Rapid Response Unit (RRU) has arrested 38 suspected robbers who have been terrorising Kampala, its suburbs and the countryside.
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the 38 were arrested following operations in Kampala, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Rakai, Masaka and Nakasongola.
The suspects, including a woman identified as Goretti Nakiwala, looked unbothered as they were paraded at the RRU headquarters in Kireka yesterday.
One of them, Akran Wampamba, who is suspected to have raped, robbed and murdered a lady at Shiners Bar in Ntinda, said: “I am glad my son will see me on TV today. I have been missing him.†Majority of them laughed with the journalists, saying: “We shall come out. It is not our first time here.â€
Nabakooba said the suspects, who operate in groups, were apprehended after the Police trailed them, some for months from their operation points.
“They will appear in the military court martial to face charges of murder, rape, aggravated robbery, theft, illegal possession of firearms and obtaining money by false pretence,†said Nabakooba. Once convicted, they face death by firing squad.
Recovered from the suspects were four vehicles, two mobile phones, one pistol, two sub-machine guns, two laptops, music systems ,DVD players and several TV sets.
“These are the gangsters who have been vandalising peoples’ cars at weddings and funerals. They are behind the thefts of laptops, cameras and car parts,†she said.
She named Moses Kintu of Nkonge, Ian Ssozi of Bunamwaya, Basil Walusimbi of Namungoona as the thugs behind the laptop robberies.
“They were cooperating with Moses Kawooya, a businessman of Kansanga, who would hire out his Land Cruiser that was used for robbery missions,†she said.
The Land Cruiser, No. UAJ720P, was impounded and is parked at Kireka. Also paraded were Male Bashir, Issa Ssekamwa, Henry Kiberu, Isaac Sebuwufu, Julius Kazibwe, Mustapha Ssentamu, Musa Ssekatte and Adam Magezi, who are suspected to have been behind the wave of iron bar (kitalimbwa) attacks in Kalerwe, Kyebando, Kisalosalo and Ntinda. “These were arrested during an operation conducted at Kalerwe,†Nabakooba said.
She said Goretti Nakintu, Steven Kikomeko, Haruna Kimala and Michael Mutyaba were arrested in connection with the kidnap of Sempala Kigozi, a clearing agent with Tran-State in Entebbe. “Our team found the above driving car no.UAB545R, a Toyota Corona, in a suspicious manner. They were six people in the back seat and the car was swerving,†she explained. “When the Police stopped the car and checked the boot, Kigozi was locked inside.â€
Others held are Suliat Tukahirwa and Aggrey Byamukama, who were arrested in connection with a murder and robbery in Lyantonde and Kiruhura districts respectively.
“They attacked a businessman in Kiruhura, robbed him of his money, pierced him and defiled his maid. The victim died due to knife wounds,†she said.
The two are also connected with the theft of a Warid generator in Kiruhura, valued at sh22m. The generator was later sold at Katwe at only sh10m.
Sam Katende, Rogers Wamona, Maurice Ahimbisiwe, Nelson Kanyabwera and Caesar Anguyo were arrested in connection with the robbery of an Isuzu tipper, UAK078A. “The vehicle was robbed from Mbarara, taken to the DR Congo, South Sudan and later sold in Central Africa Republic, where it was recovered,†she said.
THE Rapid Response Unit (RRU) has arrested 38 suspected robbers who have been terrorising Kampala, its suburbs and the countryside.
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the 38 were arrested following operations in Kampala, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Rakai, Masaka and Nakasongola.
The suspects, including a woman identified as Goretti Nakiwala, looked unbothered as they were paraded at the RRU headquarters in Kireka yesterday.
One of them, Akran Wampamba, who is suspected to have raped, robbed and murdered a lady at Shiners Bar in Ntinda, said: “I am glad my son will see me on TV today. I have been missing him.†Majority of them laughed with the journalists, saying: “We shall come out. It is not our first time here.â€
Nabakooba said the suspects, who operate in groups, were apprehended after the Police trailed them, some for months from their operation points.
“They will appear in the military court martial to face charges of murder, rape, aggravated robbery, theft, illegal possession of firearms and obtaining money by false pretence,†said Nabakooba. Once convicted, they face death by firing squad.
Recovered from the suspects were four vehicles, two mobile phones, one pistol, two sub-machine guns, two laptops, music systems ,DVD players and several TV sets.
“These are the gangsters who have been vandalising peoples’ cars at weddings and funerals. They are behind the thefts of laptops, cameras and car parts,†she said.
She named Moses Kintu of Nkonge, Ian Ssozi of Bunamwaya, Basil Walusimbi of Namungoona as the thugs behind the laptop robberies.
“They were cooperating with Moses Kawooya, a businessman of Kansanga, who would hire out his Land Cruiser that was used for robbery missions,†she said.
The Land Cruiser, No. UAJ720P, was impounded and is parked at Kireka. Also paraded were Male Bashir, Issa Ssekamwa, Henry Kiberu, Isaac Sebuwufu, Julius Kazibwe, Mustapha Ssentamu, Musa Ssekatte and Adam Magezi, who are suspected to have been behind the wave of iron bar (kitalimbwa) attacks in Kalerwe, Kyebando, Kisalosalo and Ntinda. “These were arrested during an operation conducted at Kalerwe,†Nabakooba said.
She said Goretti Nakintu, Steven Kikomeko, Haruna Kimala and Michael Mutyaba were arrested in connection with the kidnap of Sempala Kigozi, a clearing agent with Tran-State in Entebbe. “Our team found the above driving car no.UAB545R, a Toyota Corona, in a suspicious manner. They were six people in the back seat and the car was swerving,†she explained. “When the Police stopped the car and checked the boot, Kigozi was locked inside.â€
Others held are Suliat Tukahirwa and Aggrey Byamukama, who were arrested in connection with a murder and robbery in Lyantonde and Kiruhura districts respectively.
“They attacked a businessman in Kiruhura, robbed him of his money, pierced him and defiled his maid. The victim died due to knife wounds,†she said.
The two are also connected with the theft of a Warid generator in Kiruhura, valued at sh22m. The generator was later sold at Katwe at only sh10m.
Sam Katende, Rogers Wamona, Maurice Ahimbisiwe, Nelson Kanyabwera and Caesar Anguyo were arrested in connection with the robbery of an Isuzu tipper, UAK078A. “The vehicle was robbed from Mbarara, taken to the DR Congo, South Sudan and later sold in Central Africa Republic, where it was recovered,†she said.