By Davis Mugabi

The Flying Squad Units in Masaka and Mukono have conducted 3 separate operations in their jurisdictions against thugs behind theft of motor vehicles, within their jurisdictions. A total of 5 motor vehicles and 1 motorcycle were recovered, several number plates of suspected stolen motor vehicles and three notorious robbers were arrested.

In Masaka, on the 3.01.2024, police officers from Bukoto Police, while providing security at a burial ceremony in Butale village, noticed 3 thugs, who were targeting motor vehicles parked at the function. The officer acted swiftly and arrested a suspect called Lukyamuzi Faruku, a 28 year old land blocker of Kyengera Town Council in Wakiso, who led them to the recovery of the motor vehicle they were using. Upon search, several number plates of different vehicles, were found hidden under the car seats. The recovered motor vehicle, a grey Premio, unter registration number UAK762T, with breaking implements, was impounded.

In a separate development, the Flying Squad Unit in Masaka on the 5.01.2024, at around 9 am, gave a chase to suspected thugs, who were surveilling around in a motor vehicle under the fake number plate UBM 858N. The team fired and deflated the tyres of the get-away vehicle, near Total Petrol Station, along Masaka-Kyotera Road, which brought the vehicle to a full halt. One suspect, Ddamulira Edward, a 40 year old, male adult, and resident of Kvrumbi-zone, Nateete Kampala, was arrested. He admitted that they have been using Master Keys to rob valuables from vehicles parked in busy places, hotels, markets and vehicles parked on roadsides, within the greater Kampala area, other cities and major towns. The suspect was picked by two of his accomplices from Kyengera and their targets was Masaka City, where they had already broken into two motor vehicles, one in Nabyewanga, where they stole a bag with clothings, and in Lukaya Town, where they stole an Infinitix mobile phone and a bag containing clothes. Their motor vehicle was using fake numbers UBM 858N, that was fixed on top of the original number plate UBA 858N.

In another development, the Police in Mukono Flying Squad arrested a man, Wandera John alias Katiginyi, a notorious car robber, from Namubiru village, Nama sub county while selling a suspected stolen motor vehicle under registration number UBE 973W, a canter white in color, which he and his accomplices stole from Nsangi. His two accomplices, who are on the run include Wasiko Isaac, Patrick Mukyepere and Kanyankole Gideon and Ivan.

The racket has been selling the stolen motor vehicles to Siraje in Iganga and Brian of Bwaise, who are all wanted. Also recovered are a motor vehicle registration UBB 071U and motor cycle registration number UFL 975H, and a premio super with fake number plate UAW 025L. We have established that, after stealing the motor vehicles, they alter the chasis number, the color and number plate. The operation is ongoing.

“The arrest of the notorious criminal rackets demonstrates our resolve to fight and counter criminal elements behind motor vehicle robberies and bodabodas. We also want to applaud our Flying Squad Teams, and also thank all volunteers of information that helped us to crack down those criminal gangs. The operations are ongoing,” Police Spokesman Fred Enanga told the media in Kampala on Monday January 8, 2024.