The joint security team has arrested 141 people suspected to be part of a racket that has been terrorizing motorists and pedestrians along the Northern bypass in Kampala.
In Kawempe 74 were charged, 60 remanded and 14 released on court bail; in Nansana, 18 were charged to court, while at old Kampala, 32 were charged to court, 26 remanded and six fined or imprisoned; and in Kiira division, seven were charged to court and one convicted and sentenced to six months.
The leadership of the joint security agencies has designed a comprehensive approach, aimed at improving safety along the bypass and other major roads in the country, for motorists, pedestrians, and the public at large.
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said; “We have expanded our operations to the outskirts of Kyebando, Kyamuka, Kigowa, Nalya, Kamuli, Kireka Railway Areas, Jinja Kaloli, Wamala, Katooke-Kisumu, Nabweeru, Kagoma, Maganjo, and Kanyanya.”
Enanga said that the Forensics Directorate has created a data bank to capture all fingerprints of repeated offenders and defaulters. This will enable them to produce them in court, as hardcore criminals in the future.
“This will disrupt their continuity of gang crimes, control over the location, space, and even recruitments among others,” he said.
In addition, the KMP Territorial Unit has also aligned a task force comprising of the Joint Intelligence Components, Flying Squad, CID, Field Force Unit, that will focus priority on street/ highway gang crime and narcotic drugs.
“We have put emphasis on the identification of the ring leaders and violent members, who pose significant threats to the integrity of our society,” he said.