Eight held over taxi robberies
May 02, 2010
POLICE have arrested eight suspected robbers who specialise in attacking taxi passengers. They have also seized several vehicles cited in the crime.
By Eddie Ssejjoba
POLICE have arrested eight suspected robbers who specialise in attacking taxi passengers. They have also seized several vehicles cited in the crime.
The suspects are William Matovu, Michael Ssuuna, Yahaya Musana, Godfrey Ssembatya, Juma Bugembe, Umaru Lubowa, Yusiya Ssentamu, a driver, and Noah Ssebaggala, a choir member at Salvation Church in Nansana, a Kampala suburb.
The Kampala metropolitan commander, Andrew Sorowen, said the Police mounted a swoop following several reports of robberies in taxis.
Speaking to journalists at the Central Police Station, Sorowen said the thieves pick the passengers at night but when they request to disembark, they claim that the doors are jammed.
As the passengers fidget with the faulty door, another thief, impersonating a passenger, picks her personal items.
Most of the victims are robbed of money, mobile phones, laptops and bags.
Sorowen said to curb the robberies, the Police have banned the use of temporary drivers and touts.
He told taxi owners that they would be prosecuted for letting their vehicles be used for crime and the Police would impound the vehicles.
Sorowen added that they have asked the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA) to ensure that drivers stick to the routes allocated to them.
“I have asked UTODA to maintain records of taxis, drivers and their conductors. We also ask passengers to avoid jumping into taxis with few passengers and to note the number plates of the taxis they board in case of problems,†he said.
POLICE have arrested eight suspected robbers who specialise in attacking taxi passengers. They have also seized several vehicles cited in the crime.
The suspects are William Matovu, Michael Ssuuna, Yahaya Musana, Godfrey Ssembatya, Juma Bugembe, Umaru Lubowa, Yusiya Ssentamu, a driver, and Noah Ssebaggala, a choir member at Salvation Church in Nansana, a Kampala suburb.
The Kampala metropolitan commander, Andrew Sorowen, said the Police mounted a swoop following several reports of robberies in taxis.
Speaking to journalists at the Central Police Station, Sorowen said the thieves pick the passengers at night but when they request to disembark, they claim that the doors are jammed.
As the passengers fidget with the faulty door, another thief, impersonating a passenger, picks her personal items.
Most of the victims are robbed of money, mobile phones, laptops and bags.
Sorowen said to curb the robberies, the Police have banned the use of temporary drivers and touts.
He told taxi owners that they would be prosecuted for letting their vehicles be used for crime and the Police would impound the vehicles.
Sorowen added that they have asked the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA) to ensure that drivers stick to the routes allocated to them.
“I have asked UTODA to maintain records of taxis, drivers and their conductors. We also ask passengers to avoid jumping into taxis with few passengers and to note the number plates of the taxis they board in case of problems,†he said.