The joint security agencies of the police, UPDF, and intelligence in Fort portal, have so far arrested five notorious suspects and recovered five guns in its crackdown on armed robberies within the Rwenzori region.
According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the security operatives effectively coordinated with their counterparts in DR Congo, Saturday Barasa Peter, the mastermind behind the string of aggravated robberies in Ntoroko and the surrounding areas.
“He was arrested from Bunia RDC, and handed over to the Joint Territorial Team for further court action. So far five guns have been recovered from the criminal gang,” said Enanga.
Enanga said that the suspect with his other accomplices Mugume, Kiiza, Tibasiima Yokasi, Festo of Kanara and Katusabe Rogers, and Katusabe Haga of Nyakasenyi, who are all still at large, were involved in several cases of robbery.
He disclosed that after every successful mission, they would immediately cross into the DRC and hide there.
“The same gang is behind a string of other robberies in Ntoroko district. On 18.09.2022, around 11 pm, the gang attacked Mutegeki Timothy at his home and shot him, and robbed an unspecified amount of money that he was keeping for the village association.
“On 11.05.2022, they robbed Muhindo Lusiya of Karugutu cash Ugx 1.5m; on 24.05.2022, they robbed Kahuma Charles of Kanara Shs24m; on 26.07.2022 they robbed Kirokimu Jonathan of Nyakasenyi Shs2.7m; on the 24.08.2022, they robbed Mayungwe Joel inside Semuliki Game Reserve of Shs 6.5m.”
In addition on 10.08.2022, they robbed a motorcycle registration number UFP 798X from Kagoro Karim of Karugutu, which was later recovered in Budiiba; on 7.08.2022, they attempted to rob Namulema Sylvia, a mobile money dealer of Kanara; they, however, robbed Shs300,000 from Muthalinga Warren of Kanara and Shs600,000 from Mulyati Harrison of Kanara; on the 17.08.2022, they robbed Katusabe Topista of Kanara Shs500,000 and on the 21.08.2022, they robbed Nanteza Beatrice of Shs360,000,” said Enanga.
He explained that the suspect is going to be held accountable for the string of aggravated robberies, as a serious manhunt for his accomplices continues.