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Army deserter arrested over city robberies

The suspects arrested

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Police Crime Intelligence, Flying Squad, and Kawempe Police have arrested seven suspected members of a robbery gang that has been terrorizing Kampala Metropolitan areas.

An officer attached to Kawempe Police Division said the gang has been wreaking havoc in Kampala, using four motorcycles with registration numbers UGG 950L, UDN 457C, UEW 888A, and UGC 825D, to carry out their crimes.

“The gang operated in a group of eight, with four riders and four passengers, all armed with pangas and toy guns. Their primary targets were betting centres and slot machine shops. We had received several complaints of robberies, and today we successfully executed our strategy to apprehend them.”Police Officer said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango has identified the suspects as Joseph Nsabamungu 27 years old, the leader, who has also been masquerading as a security operative.

Other members include Stephen Kayita Stephen 28 years old,  Shafik Baligeya Shafik, 22 years old, Nicole Musimami 30-years-old, Adrain Kakato 21 years, Asuman Riyinza 27-year-old and  Lawrence Kibuuka 37- year-old who is an army deserter under No. R222701.

By the time of their arrest, the Police preliminary findings had indicated that the group had made three successful night robberies in areas of Bulenga, Namasuba and Mukono, stealing money amounting to 5.7 Million shillings in three consecutive nights.

During interrogations at Kawempe Police, the suspects revealed that Lawrence Kibuuka, an army deserter, received the largest share of the loot, ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 shillings per operation, while Nsabamungu, retained all stolen military items, including uniforms and toy guns.

Onyango said the operation is ongoing to have the remaining accomplices at large and to ensure public safety and peace in the communities within the Kampala Metropolitan area.

Several UPDF deserters and imposters have in the past been arrested with military fatigue and weapons.

In 2021, Arthur Nuwagaba, a Warrant Officer II attached to the finance office in the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence-CMI, Mbuya was arrested for allegedly supplying military equipment to three impostors and deserters.

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