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How police busted gang targeting bodas
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire shows how gangs change chassis numbers on stolen motorcycles at Katwe Police Divisional Headquarters in Kampala on November 24, 2022. PHOTO/FRANK BAGUMA
What you need to know:
- Intelligence officers, who have been following the crime syndicate for months, said the suspects have been selling the stolen motorcycles to upcountry cities and towns like Gulu City.
- Detectives at Katwe Police Station established that the number plates and chassis numbers of the recovered motorcycles were corresponding with the details in Uganda Revenue Authority.
Police have bust a gang that has been robbing boda boda motorcycles and properties of passengers in Makindye and Rubaga divisions of Kampala.
The gangs alter the chassis numbers and forge number plates before selling the boda bodas to unsuspected buyers.
Intelligence officers, who have been following the crime syndicate for months, said the suspects have been selling the stolen motorcycles to upcountry cities and towns like Gulu City.
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The Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, said three suspects have been arrested with forged log books.
“The teams are still compiling the evidence against the gang. When investigations are complete, they will be taken to court,” he said yesterday.
The criminals have been grabbing properties of victims on the walk-ways and roads, especially during rush hours. Several riders have lost their lives.
Mr Owoyesigyire on Wednesday said after officers of the Directorate of Crime Intelligence attached to Katwe Police Station gathered information about the gang, they raided a shop at Youth Centre, Kibuye I in Makindye Division and recovered machines used to change chassis and engine numbers.
“We also recovered a motorcycle with registration number UFL 534V, but upon clear observation, its original number plate was UFS 840M,” he said.
Detectives at Katwe Police Station established that the number plates and chassis numbers of the recovered motorcycles were corresponding with the details in Uganda Revenue Authority.
The suspects told police they would alter the chassis numbers using the equipment that was recovered at the shop before selling the boda bodas.
A change of a chassis number would cost them Shs50,000 and thereafter, the motorcycle would be given a forged number plates ready for sell, according to police investigations.
A suspect said they would give their accomplices the altered motorcycles to deliver them to Gulu City.
