The Flying Squad Units in Masaka and Mukono conducted three distinct operations in their respective regions against criminals involved in the theft of motor vehicles within their jurisdictions. A total of five motor vehicles and one motorcycle were successfully recovered, along with several number plates suspected to be from stolen vehicles. Additionally, three notorious robbers were apprehended.
In Masaka, on January 3, 2024, officers from Bukoto police, while providing security at a burial ceremony in Butale village, observed three culprits targeting parked motor vehicles. The officers acted promptly, leading to the arrest of one suspect named Lukyamuzi Faruku, a 28-year-old land blocker from Kyengera town council in Wakiso. The suspect guided them to the recovery of the motor vehicle they were using—a grey Premio under registration number UAK762T. During the search, various number plates from different vehicles were discovered concealed under the car seats. The impounded vehicle had breaking implements.
In a separate incident, the Flying Squad Unit in Masaka, on January 5, 2024, around 9 am, pursued suspected thugs surveilling in a motor vehicle with a fake number plate UBM 858N. The team successfully deflated the tires of the getaway vehicle near Total Petrol Station along Masaka-Kyotera road, leading to its apprehension. One suspect, Ddamulira Edward, a 40-year-old male adult from Kvrumbi zone, Nateete Kampala, was arrested. He confessed to using master keys to rob valuables from vehicles in busy places, hotels, markets, and roadside-parked vehicles within the greater Kampala area, other cities, and major towns. The suspect, along with two accomplices from Kyengera, targeted Masaka City. They had already broken into two vehicles, stealing belongings in Nabyewanga and Lukaya town. Their vehicle used the fake number UBM 858N, fixed on top of the original number plate UBA 858N.
In another development, the Mukono Flying Squad arrested 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 (canter, white in color), stolen from Nsangi. His two accomplices, Wasiko Isaac, Patrick Mukyepere, Kanyankole Gideon, and Ivan, are currently on the run.
The criminal racket has been selling stolen motor vehicles to Siraje in Iganga and Brian of Bwaise, both of whom are wanted. Also recovered were a motor vehicle with registration UBB 071U, a motorcycle with registration number UFL 975H, and a Premio Super with a fake number plate UAW 025L. Investigations have revealed that after stealing the vehicles, they alter the chassis number, color, and number plate. The operation is ongoing.
The arrest of these notorious criminal networks underscores our commitment to combatting and countering criminal elements involved in motor vehicle robberies and bodabodas. The Police extend our appreciation to our Flying Squad teams and express gratitude to all information volunteers who aided us in cracking down on these criminal gangs. The operations are still in progress.
