Search for Magara suspect heads to mosque, 94 children rescued

PIC: Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo addressing the media on Saturday .

By Tracy Gwambe

CRIME|INVESTIGATION

KAMPALA-Magara murder suspect search results into rescue of 94 children and 18women at Usafi Mosque

The Police and sister security agencies have come out to throw more light on the raid that happened last night at Usafi Mosque in Kisenyi were two people were shot dead and 36 arrested.

Speaking at a joint presser this morning at the Uganda Media Centre, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo stated that a joint security operation was carried out last night over incidents of crime that have occurred especially in areas of greater Masaka and Kampala, focusing on trying to establish the motive behind these heinous crimes.

The justification for last night' raid was after credible intelligence on one of the key suspects in the murder of Susan Magara whose body was discovered on February 27, 2018.

In an unexpected turn of events, the security operatives rescued 94 children and 18 women of different nationalities at the Usafi Mosque. These children and women, who looked scared and traumatized, are being looked after by Police, until they are joined with their relatives.

General Jeje Odong who was saddened by the fact that the scuffle had to take place in a Mosque, a place of worship explained that it was not the intension of security operatives to raid the mosque, but the situation at hand left them with no options.

"When you see a criminal running to a mosque, do you give up on chasing after him, because he has run into a place of worship," he wondered. 

In the scuffle, two people from the mosque were shot dead as they tried to retaliate at our security personnel," said Jeje.

Speaking at the same presser, Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima stated that the 36 suspects, whose statements will be taken to help in the investigations, are under police custody.

"Police is also making arrangements to hand over the rescued children and women to their relatives," Kayima added.