Kidnapped money changer speaks out

The money changer at Katuna border post in Kabale District, Mr Semwogerere Kijwengye, who was on Wednesday kidnapped by men in army uniform has said the vehicle the kidnappers used had been seen patrolling the area for almost a week.
He was kidnapped by four men; one wearing an army uniform and three in plain clothes at around 12 pm.
They were reportedly armed with a pistol and allegedly emerged from a UPDF Mitsubishi Pajero that was parked at Mayengo Washing Bay in Katuna Town Council.

Mr Semwogerere said he was supervising the washing of his vehicle at the same washing bay before his abduction.
“The UPDF vehicle that carried men that kidnapped me had been moving around Katuna border town for almost one week. We initially thought it was doing security work until they kidnapped me and stole my money at gunpoint,” Mr Semwogerere said.
He added that his kidnappers asked him why he was associating with the former Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, and other individuals that are undermining the government, allegations he denied.

Mr Reuben Arineitwe, alias Kachoori, a taxi driver on Katuna-Kabale Road, who witnessed the incident, said four men surrounded Mr Semwogerere while inspecting his Toyota vehicle that was being washed.
“I was slapped by the robbers who in the process handcuffed Mr Semogerere and ordered him to enter into his vehicle and one of them drove him off as the army Pajero followed them being driven by another man. I immediately rushed to Katuna Police Station and reported the matter,” Mr Arineitwe said.

The police spokesperson for Kigezi Sub-region, Mr Elly Maate, on Wednesday said they mounted an operation and a man wearing army uniform, who identified himself as Mr Bahram Twebaze, was arrested at Kisizi hospital about 50 km away from the scene of crime.
He added that Mr Semwogerere was rescued around 3pm unhurt although he claimed the kidnappers stole about Shs10 million from him.

“The security operatives were informed that four people armed with a pistol, one putting on UPDF army uniform, driving a UPDF pajero whose number plates have not been established, kidnapped Mr Semwogerere and drove him in his own vehicle to unknown destination,” Mr Maate said.
“The security operatives deployed at all roads connecting to Kigezi Sub-region before the suspect and the victim were arrested at Kisizi hospital in Rukungiri District,” he added.
The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Mr Darius Nandinda, who coordinated the operation, promised that security agencies would intensify the investigations so that the suspects are arrested.

Army speaks out
The UPDF 2nd Division spokesperson, Maj Charles Kabona, yesterday said the kidnappers are not soldiers and refuted allegations that an army vehicle was used in the crime.
“It’s not true that a UPDF pajero was involved in the said kidnap and robbery,” Maj Kabona said.

This is the second time Mr Semwogerere is being targeted by robbers. In December 2014, he was attacked by robbers while travelling in his Toyota Prado at Kijongo-Hakitagata on the Kabale-Katuna Road and they took Shs200 million from him. When he tried to flee from the attackers, Mr Semogerere lost control of the vehicle and it overturned several times.

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