Police arrest 8 notorious robbers in Kampala city
Investigation. Police officers search a car that was suspected to have been used by thugs after a shoot-out in Mutundwe, Rubaga Division in Kampala last week. COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Investigation. Police say the suspects have admitted to several aggravated robberies in Kampala metropolitan area.
- Investigators have also established that all the eight suspects met each other in Luzira prison where they were on remand on another aggravated robbery case.
The police Flying Squad Unit has arrested eight suspects alleged to be notorious for breaking into houses to rob money, vehicles and electronic gadgets
Police say the eight suspects are part of the group that has been attacking residents in Lusanja, Kitezi, Kasangati and other areas of Wakiso District.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said the arrested suspects and others still at large have been operating in Kampala Metropolitan area.
“The eight suspects have admitted to several aggravated robberies in Kitooro on Entebbe Road and Wantoni in Mukono District. Many of them who have already recorded charge and caution statements and are to be produced on court capital offences,” Mr Enanga said yesterday.
The arrests are part of the operation dubbed Tokora III announced by the deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeeyi, a few months ago to curb violent crimes in Kampala Metropolitan area.
One of the suspects, Amidu Ssenyonjo, had earlier been shot and injured at Kitezi during a robbery while his brother, Faruk Ssejjemba, was killed. However, Ssenyonyo escaped from police officers in hospital where he had been admitted for treatment in November.
Ssenyonjo has been rearrested by Flying Squad Unit operatives in an undisclosed area where he had been undergoing treatment.
Investigators have also established that all the eight suspects met each other in Luzira prison where they were on remand on another aggravated robbery case.
The High Court granted them bail in May and when they were out of jail, they resumed robberies in the city centre.
Mr Enanga said the Flying Squad Unit is still hunting for three other suspects, including Hassan Byenda, Taata Nabasirye and another nicknamed Edgar Watson.
POLICE INTERVENTION
Operation. There has been a resurgence of house break-ins in Kampala Metropolitan area. A fortnight ago, armed thugs raided a house in Bunamwaya on Entebbe Road where Sisters of Our Lady of Africa were staying and robbed money, laptops and other electronic devices.
However, since the start of Tokora III, police and sister security agencies have been carrying out operations in Katwe, Kisenyi, Burton Street and near Old Taxi Park, where stolen items are sold.
More than 300 suspects have been arrested and produced in court.
