UPDF, police guns recovered in Masaka murder probe

Three army and police guns have been recovered in the ongoing investigations into the July 1 murder and robbery at Muto hardware shop in Masaka town. COURTESY PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Three army and police guns have been recovered in the ongoing investigations into the July 1 murder and robbery at Muto hardware shop in Masaka town.
  • Deputy police spokesperson, SP Patrick Onyango, while addressing the media on Monday, said investigators recovered the guns on Saturday after a suspect was arrested.

Three army and police guns have been recovered in the ongoing investigations into the July 1 murder and robbery at Muto hardware shop in Masaka town.

Deputy police spokesperson, SP Patrick Onyango, while addressing the media on Monday, said investigators recovered the guns on Saturday after a suspect was arrested.

Police said the suspect confessed to have participated in the crime that left a UPDF soldier, Moses Musinguzi and a casual worker, Shafic Kiggundu, killed and money worth Shs400m stolen.

Mr Onyango said the suspect offered to lead police to another suspect who was allegedly keeping the guns. The latter was arrested at his residence in Mbuye village, Buzirandulu parish, Kasali Subcounty, in Kyotera District.

“We arrested the suspect and a search was mounted at his home. Three guns and a panga were recovered with the following serial numbers. UG POL 563100709520644, UG UPDF 4902251, SAR 11200917 and 49 rounds of ammunition,” SP Onyango said.

Mr Onyango said police recovered $25000 at another suspect’s makeshift residence where he was hiding with his wife in Kalangala on Bukasa Island. Police said the recovered items were exhibited pending ballistic examination. Two suspects are still at large.

“We have established one of the guns used in this crime was stolen from our police officer in Kyotera District. The UPDF gun we suspect it was the one belonging to the soldier [Musinguzi] who was killed in robbery,” Mr Onyango said.

In June four guns were reportedly stolen from police officers including a pistol belonging to Kyotera District Police Commander. The DPC lost the gun a thug who disguised as a solder attached to Special Forces Command (SFC). The guns are yet to be recovered.

Police said CCTV footage shows the gunmen raided the hardware at 7:58pm and fired random bullets killing Musinguzi and Kiggundu before they put the cashier at gunpoint.
Police recovered two live bullets and 10 cartridges from the crime scene.