Seven suspected armed robbers arrested with UPDF uniforms, government vehicle

Police in Iganga District in eastern Uganda are holding seven suspected robbers who were arrested on Monday with five uniforms of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), a gun and a government vehicle.

The suspects, whose identities were still unknown as police declined to give an official statement to reporters, were allegedly planning to carry out robberies in Iganga Town and its environs.
Their arrest came after police received intelligence reports that they were planning to steal from drug shops, supermarkets and banks in Iganga Town.

It is said that police started tracking the suspects after learning that they were planning to steal from a drug shop along Main Street in Iganga Town belonging to an Asian.

According to sources at Iganga Police Station, the matter came to light when locals noticed UPDF uniforms stashed in a car belonging to the judiciary, registration number UG O501J, at a bar on Sunday night.
Police first arrested two suspects who were using the car and gun; and after a search, bullets, chloroform and other ammunition were found which were marked as exhibits.

The other five who were allegedly fleeing in a white Toyota Harrier registration number UAP 740W, were intercepted along Main Street after police foiled their plan to rescue their colleagues from the police station compound.

The Busoga East police Spokesman, James Mubi, declined to comment on the matter and it remains unclear whether the suspects are UPDF soldiers.
“I am busy with work but you can talk to police officers around,” he said when contacted.
By press time, the suspects were still detained at Iganga Police Station as officers continued with investigations.

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