Boda Boda 2010 on the run after CMI hunt

KAMPALA- Members of Boda Boda 2010 gang are on the run after the military arrested their leader Abdullah Kitatta and intensified the crackdown on others over the murder of Case Hospital accountant Francis Ekalungar.

The deputy army spokesperson, Lt Col Deo Akiiki, said yesterday that the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) was hunting more members of the gang and would not rest until they have been apprehended.

“The operation is still ongoing and we are looking for more suspects who are still at large. We, however, want to assure you that whoever was involved in this crime shall be apprehended. We came in as army because when a person is killed in such a manner, we become concerned on whether it is a rebel group or terrorists,” Lt Col Akiiki said.

He was speaking at a joint army and police press conference at the government’s Media Centre.

The military has arrested close to 30 Boda Boda 2010 members since last Friday, including the gang patron, Mr Kitatta and his brother Huzair Kiwalabye following the gruesome murder of Ekalungar who was kidnapped, killed and burnt beyond recognition on January 2, as he took the hospital’s Shs15m to the bank.

The army said the crackdown on the suspects came after investigations directly linked Mr Kiwalabye to Ekalungar’s murder.

Lt Col Akiiki said other suspects, including Mr Kitatta, were arrested for trying to sabotage ongoing investigations with threats, protests and blocking roads.

“No one is above the law. Even if it is me as an army officer I can be arrested and prosecuted if I have committed an offence. These people thought they would interfere with investigations by blocking roads. That is not acceptable and cannot be allowed to happen,” Lt Col Akiiki said.

The police spokesperson, Mr Emilian Kayima, said the Case Hospital proprietor, Dr Sebbaale Kato, was yesterday intercepted as he headed to Entebbe International Airport to travel out of the country because his driver, Muzamiru Mawa, is a key suspect in the murder.

“His driver is among the key suspects in this case. We thought he will be needed in this investigation. That is why we stopped him from going out of the country. He will be let to go after we have got some information from him,” Mr Kayima said.

Police asked the public to avail all the relevant evidence for the trial of the suspects.
Asked whether the suspects would be prosecuted in the court martial, Lt Col Akiiki said it would depend on the outcomes of the investigations.

“Since the investigations are still on, we may get evidence that could sustain their trial in the army court, but as of now, all the evidence we have would enable our sister institution (police) to charge them in civil courts,” he said.

Lt Col Akiiki said the suspects would be scrutinised and those who are not linked to the murder would be released.

The army ransacked Boda Boda 2010 offices at the weekend in Wakaliga and recovered weapons such as machetes (pangas), knives, army uniforms and motorcycle number plates.

Mr Kayima warned the public against mob action after it was established that Boda Boda 2010 offices in Bukesa, Wakaliga and Makindye areas had been set ablaze by their rival factions.

[email protected]