Police recover toy guns, uniforms from robbers

The suspected robbers who were found with police uniforms and some of the tools allegedly used in a series of highway robberies in Luweero District. Photo by Dan Wandera

What you need to know:

The armed thugs pose as police officers at fake check-points

Luweero- Police in Luweero have recovered five toy guns, reflector jackets and objects suspected to have been used in a series of robberies executed on the Kampala-Gulu highway at targeted places in Luweero District.

“We have had a series of robberies at Kakinzi and Yandwe villages on Kampala- Gulu highway where victims have lost valuable property to suspected highway robbers who masquerade as police officers.

The robbers stop motorists on the Kampala- Gulu highway before robbing them at gun point,” Mr Lameck Kigozi, the police spokesperson Savanna region, said on Tuesday.

Two suspects were arrested with robbery equipment in Kakinzi Village, Butuntumula Sub-county.

The suspects are believed to be part of a gang which recently waylaid a vehicle that was on its way from South Sudan heading to Kampala.

According to Luweero District Police Commander Justus Asiimwe, the suspects stole Shs26m from the occupants of the car and injured one of them.

The gang
Police said the suspects; a father and his son, confessed to being part of a gang which has been mounting fake road blocks with the aim of robbing motorists from South Sudan whom they believe have valuable property and US dollars.

“These suspects have given us vital information including details regarding the other suspects who are still at large.

“We call upon the public who have lost their valuables including laptops to come and identify them at Luweero Central Police Station. We recovered a lot of valuable items from the homes of these two suspects who have already confessed to being part of a gang engaged in criminal acts,” said Mr Asiimwe.

The district CIID officer, Mr Topher Gimei, said the suspects are likely to be charged with aggravated robbery when investigations are concluded.