Three
Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF deserters have been arrested in connection
to robberies targeting mobile money operators in the city. The trio was
picked up in a joint operation involving UPDF and the Chieftaincy of Military
Intelligence (CMI).
The suspects are Stanley Muluta alias Frank Jjumba, Emma Onen Ochan and Denis
Mwanguhya. Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, says the suspects were picked
up in an operation that started on Tuesday in Masanafu in Lubaga Division where
two guns were also recovered.
He
says Stanley Muluta was arrested in Masanafu where a Police Constable was shot
by Richard Kasirye who is still at large. According to Enanga, during
interrogations Muluta named Onen, Mwanguhya and other suspects still at large
as his accomplices.
Ballistic examination of cartridges recovered from the scenes of six mobile
money robberies pin Muluta, Onen and Mwanguhya. The three guns recovered
from the suspects are the ones whose cell casings were found at the robbery
scenes.
Muluta was released from Luzira Prison in April this year after serving a
3-year jail terms for robbing a forex bureau in 2015. According to
investigations, Muluta reunited with Mwanguhya and Onen shortly after his release
from prison.
The trio’s first assignment was the robbery of a Toyota Harrier registration
number UBA 874W, mobile phones and money in Masaka on May 4, which they sold in
South Sudan.
On May 14, the group robbed a couple in Natete Church Zone that was returning
from a mobile money shop at around 10: 45pm. They fired random bullets, which
killed Rafael Walugembe., a student of Nkozi University.
On May 17, the suspects allegedly robbed Shillings16M from
Nalukwago Sanyu, a mobile money operator whom they trailed from Natete up to
Kitende Cell A zone along Entebbe Road.
Investigations have revealed that the trio robbed Nalukwago at gun point and
sped off in a Toyota Wish registration number UBE 481A, which had previously
been cited in a robbery in Natete.
Police say they are still studying the evidence and cartridges recovered from
robbery scenes in Mpererwe, Nansana and Mbale to establish whether the trio and
their accomplices were behind the attacks. The robbery at Cheap General
Hardware in Nansana on May 29th left three workers dead and Shs385M
stolen.
In Mbale, a Police Constable was shot in a gunfire exchange with thugs.
“It took dedicated crime intelligence. This has been a successful
operation. This is a gang that has been using three motorcycles and a search
for other suspects continues,” Enanga said.
Armed thugs moving on three motorcycles have so far killed three people
in mobile money robberies. The victims include Harriet Nalwadda, who was killed
alongside her worker, Moreen Nakabuubi on Monday June 10th in Zzana along
Entebbe Road.
Police have preferred three counts of the murder of Nalwadda, Nakabubi and
Walugembe and two attempted murder against the suspects. The suspects will
also be charged with illegal possession of firearms. Details so far gathered
indicate that Muluta shot a UPDF Lieutenant before he deserted the army.
–URN
