The police have arrested three suspected thugs on allegations of carrying out robberies in Kampala metropolitan areas.   

Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson, Patrick Onyango identified the suspects as Stephen Sserwanyiri, 34, a boda boda rider and resident of Kirinyabigo Kawanda, Robert Mukisa, 24, a boda boda rider resident of Lubowa Zone Nabweru, and Jamir Mutaawe, the ringleader. 

They were arrested by police from Wandegeya after they allegedly robbed Enid Naginda, a 24-year-old waitress at Luve Restaurant in Kololo. The incident occurred between Fairway Hotel and Blood Bank Road, while Naginda was returning home at around 1:45 am. Naginda raised an alarm that attracted police officers, who were on patrol. 

The thugs made off with her bag containing Shs 50,000 and a mobile phone. As they fled, police managed to arrest Sserwanyiri who fell off the motorcycle registration UFM 529C. According to Onyango, Sserwanyiri confessed to carrying out robberies with his two colleagues, whom he has led police to their arrest in various areas of hiding.           

One of the suspects confessed to using a panga to harm victims who resisted surrendering their properties during robberies.

"We use the panga to harm any victim who attempts to resist surrendering their properties. We have been carrying out these robberies on motorcycles for the last year," Sserwanyi said. 

Hassan Hiwumbire, Wandegeya Division police commander, said there is an increase in robberies in areas of Kololo and Nakasero.      

“Motorcycle thieves operate by stopping in the middle of the road, pretending to have mechanical issues in dark areas, and then surrounding their victims with accomplices on another motorcycle within these areas. That is why we call on passengers not to allow a boda-boda to pass through shortcut roads you don’t even know, pass through main roads in night hours,” Hiwumbire said.   

According to Hiwumbire, the suspects' modus operandi involves hiding machetes under motorcycle seats during the day, then committing crimes under the cover of darkness, adding that suspect files are being prepared, and they will appear in court soon.    

A motorcycle, registration number, UFJ 348M was also recovered from the home of Mutaawe. Mutaawe has also confessed to targeting areas including Nakasero, Northern Bypass, Namugoona, Kololo, Spear Motors, Golf Course, and Wandegeya for a long time. By URN/The Observer