Security operatives visit 8 crime scenes in Kampala

Investigation. Police with sister security groups interogate Hussein Kasolo at Nateete, Kitooro Zone where Maria Nagirinya’s car was dumped by the suspected kidnappers. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

What you need to know:

  • On Friday only three suspects were present during the visits to crime scenes/. Each of these was driven separately in heavily guarded double cabins with police patrols and private cars escorting.
  • The suspects guided the investigators from Nateete through Kibumbiro-Busega Community-Lugala-Bulange-Northern Bypass-to Namanve and later Nakitukuri in Mukono.

Law enforcers on Friday visited eight scenes of crime in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono, wading through the routes that were reportedly used in a double murder of social worker Maria Nagirinya and her driver Ronald Kitayimbwa.

The move is intended to solve the abduction and murder question of the duo that has instigated fear among the public, who wonder how criminals can freely kidnap and kill someone well knowing that the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) mounted on many roads can capture them.
So far, security agencies have arrested seven suspects in relation to the August 28 incident in which Nagirinya was abducted from her gate in Lungujja before being killed and her body dumped in Mukono.

On Thursday, John Kisekka alias Manumanu, one of the suspects in the murder, was delivered to KCCA Court in Kampala to take a judicial statement, but the magistrate reportedly declined because he had marks of wounds that were translated into torture.
Kisekka has allegedly confessed that “I only killed Kitayimbwa using the kabadiya style (stranglehold, a grip around the neck of another person that can kill by asphyxiation if held for long enough with an arm folded in one’s neck).”

Police have not officially released the names of the suspects in custody. However, local authorities in Nateete, a suburb in Rubaga Division, identified at least five suspects, including Hamza Kateregga, alias Arsenal, who is said to be seen on CCTV camera driving Nagirinya’s car (a Spacio, UBA 570V) before she was killed.

Other suspects include John Lubega, aka Baros, Hassan Kisekka, and Isaac Kisunsu.
Although police spokesperson Fred Enanga insisted that they have all the suspects in custody, a Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence source, who are leading the investigations said Kisunsu, who is alleged to have hit Nagirinya with a car jerk before she bled to death is still at large.
Suspects have reportedly apologised and accepted responsibility in a move to receive pardon.

Locations
The crime locations include three in Nateete (Mabiito, near ABC School and Dome in Busega), another is the home of Nagirinya at Lungujja, Nalukolongo and Kosovo.
In Wakiso, a busy spot in Namanve Industrial Park overlooking the Uganda Investment Authority offices was visited. It is here that the suspects allegedly dropped blood stained cloth.
In Nakitukuli along Kayunga in Mukono, the bodies were dumped. Abduction occurred in Lungujja and perhaps the killing of Kitayimbwa. Nateete is where the suspects were arrested.

Investigators are upbeat that physical evidence that pins the suspects was recovered from all the scenes visited.
“We have visited the places where the crime occurred or where exhibits were dumped. We have most of the people involved but investigations are ongoing,” an interrogator said.

The trail
On Friday only three suspects were present during the visits to crime scenes/. Each of these was driven separately in heavily guarded double cabins with police patrols and private cars escorting.
The suspects guided the investigators from Nateete through Kibumbiro-Busega Community-Lugala-Bulange-Northern Bypass-to Namanve and later Nakitukuri in Mukono.

Arrests
A mobile money withdrawal helped track the suspects. Killers had allegedly before murdering their victims asked for the mobile money pins that were used on August 29 and August 31 to withdrawal money.
On September 8, a mobile money operator was arrested at Mabiito Club, Nateete and another was arrested at Nalukolongo and Kosovo in Lungujja.

“When we interrogated them, they said they could identify the suspects and we deployed at Mabiito.
The suspects came as their normal routine is and the lady pointed at one with code name Arsenal. We got him as he tried to flee,” an investigator said.
During interrogation, the suspects pointed fingers at each other detailing the roles either of them played.