Police arrest 2 soldiers over Entebbe expressway theft
Motorists use a section of the Kampala- Entebbe Expressway last year. FILE PHOTO
Kampala- Calm has returned to the Entebbe–Kampala Expressway after two Uganda People’s Defence Force soldiers were arrested on allegations of waylaying and robbing unsuspecting motorists at night.
The two soldiers have already been produced in court in Mpigi District and remanded on armed robbery charges.
Since the arrest of Cpl Michael Ssewanyana and Cpl Badru Kayongo two weeks ago, police have not received any case of robbery on the highway, which is still under construction.
The suspects had often evaded police trap, but got caught as they carried out their illegal operation in Katale-Kikajjo, Wakiso District.
It is alleged that the two were working with three other soldiers who escaped during the operation. Police are still hunting the three soldiers on the run.
Safety
The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman, Mr Luke Owoyesigire, declined to divulge details about the arrest of soldiers but said they have now secured the highway.
“Most of the robbery victims are motorists who have been using the highway illegally since it hasn’t yet been officially opened. But since the end of last month, there hasn’t been any criminal incident reported on the highway,” Mr Owoyesigire said.
The highway, whose completion has been behind schedule, has been a haven for crime since it is dark at night and unprotected.
According to police reports, the suspects have been carrying out robberies at Katale, Kinawa, Kikajjo and Nateete areas. Among their victims included a UPDF soldier Cpl Ramathan Nsubuga, attached to the Air Force, Mr Kisakye Muvawala, Mr Fred Ssendyoose and Mr Shafik Mutyaba.
According to police documents, the suspects wearing army uniforms and carrying firearms would block their victims using numberless vehicles on the highway. Before the unsuspecting victims would make a U-turn to safety, the suspects would put them on gunpoint, rob their mobile phones and money.
It is also alleged that the suspects would beat their victims before fleeing the scene.
