Police warn of gangs hired and dressed in party colors
Jan 08, 2021
Oweyesigire urged the public to maintain peace, and calm as the country goes to the polls.
POLICE|CRIME|GANGS
KAMPALA - The Uganda Police Force on Friday warned of criminal gangs for hire who have been given partisan politically inclined t-shirts with intention to cause chaos and mayhem.
Responding to a video that was trending online on Friday showing a mob beating someone dressed in a yellow t-shirt, Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Oweyesigire noted that they had established the victim.
"While Police is still scrutinizing evidence gathered so far, it has emerged that on Wednesday January 6th, 2021, two (2) criminal gangs commonly known as kifesi and Bigali were mobilised in Kisenyi and given partisan politically inclined t-shirts with intention to cause chaos and mayhem.
The group walked from Kisenyi road towards Blue room, while robbing phones and money from the public. However, they met a stiff resistance a few meters away as they were approaching the junction of Kafumbe Mukasa road where they were beaten up by members of the public and some, consequently undressed," Oweyesigire said.
He noted that police from Old Kampala responded and three suspects Muhammad Katerega, Bernard Ogutu and Charles Ngubiri were arrested and two damaged mobile phones were recovered from them.
The three were charged with theft vide SD ref 08/06/01/202.
"They allege that they were being commanded by one Ssentongo, whom we vow to hunt down. Relatedly we have received credible information that there are young people who have offered themselves as gangs for hire. Police have intensified operations and will crack down these criminally minded groups," Oweyesigire noted.
He urged the public to maintain peace, and calm as the country goes to the polls.
"We categorically call against any mob actions. We also urge citizens seeking electoral leadership to urge their supporters to maintain law and order," he added.
The video had raised an uproar especially among the National Resistance Movement who thought their supporter had been targeted by the opposition elements.