UPDF soldiers implicated in highway robbery
Jul 11, 2010
A UPDF soldier was recently shot dead while trying to escape from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) while another has been arrested over allegations of leading a racket of thieves.
By Chris Ahimbisibwe
A UPDF soldier was recently shot dead while trying to escape from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) while another has been arrested over allegations of leading a racket of thieves.
Pte. Robert Naturinda died on the spot near Kitagata trading centre in Kabingo district on Tuesday while Pte. Israel Mutaryebwa, 27, was arrested in an operation mounted by the RRU and Police.
South western Police spokesperson Polly Namaye identified other suspects as Wilson Musinguzi, 32 and Wilson Ahimbisibwe, 21.
The three were paraded before the public at Mutara sub county headquarters.
Namaye said an AK 47 rifle, 18 rounds of ammunition and three pairs of UPDF uniforms were recovered from Naturinda’s home.
South Western RRU chief Nickson Agaseirwe said Naturinda was leading the operatives to a bush where he had hidden another gun when he tried to escape.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura, said Naturinda and Mutaryebwa had deserted the army adding that Mutaryebwa had served under the African Union (AU) mission in Somalia.
Kayihura said the RRU was deployed after complaints of highway robbers. The most dangerous spots were at Omukatagu-Katenga on the Ishaka-Kagamba road and Kateizi on the Kitagata-Rukungiri road.
The thugs had also robbed businessmen at Omukashanda trading centre.
A UPDF soldier was recently shot dead while trying to escape from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) while another has been arrested over allegations of leading a racket of thieves.
Pte. Robert Naturinda died on the spot near Kitagata trading centre in Kabingo district on Tuesday while Pte. Israel Mutaryebwa, 27, was arrested in an operation mounted by the RRU and Police.
South western Police spokesperson Polly Namaye identified other suspects as Wilson Musinguzi, 32 and Wilson Ahimbisibwe, 21.
The three were paraded before the public at Mutara sub county headquarters.
Namaye said an AK 47 rifle, 18 rounds of ammunition and three pairs of UPDF uniforms were recovered from Naturinda’s home.
South Western RRU chief Nickson Agaseirwe said Naturinda was leading the operatives to a bush where he had hidden another gun when he tried to escape.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura, said Naturinda and Mutaryebwa had deserted the army adding that Mutaryebwa had served under the African Union (AU) mission in Somalia.
Kayihura said the RRU was deployed after complaints of highway robbers. The most dangerous spots were at Omukatagu-Katenga on the Ishaka-Kagamba road and Kateizi on the Kitagata-Rukungiri road.
The thugs had also robbed businessmen at Omukashanda trading centre.