In a major breakthrough, five key suspects linked to a string of robberies in Jinja City have been apprehended.
The suspects, including their girlfriends, were intercepted at the Tororo checkpoint along the Mbale-Tororo Highway, courtesy of the collaborative efforts of CCTV cameras and intelligence teams from Kiira and Elgon police regions.
Top on the list is Latif Abdullah Mulondo, alias Assassin, 24, and his wife Rosette Uwimana, 21, from Kawuku-Namulanda, Entebbe Road, were among those arrested.
Jacob Ogwal, the driver, a resident of Rubaga Cell, Rubaga Ward, Jinja City, was also caught. Joseph Lubirire, 23, and his wife Kent Endy Mpumwire, 28, from Kamuli Road, Mupumudde, Jinja City, completed the quintet.
According to intelligence, Mpumwire, who had just returned from Doha, Qatar’s capital, where she worked odd jobs (locally known as kyeyo), was allegedly the main sponsor of the machete-wielding gang that terrorized Jinja residents.
Latif Mulondo’s involvement was uncovered after his criminal code-name of “Assassin” was mentioned by nine fellow gang members already on remand at Kirinya Prison, leading to his arrest.
The nine are facing eight counts including aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit a felony and receipt of stolen money, among others but the group of Mulondo was still at large.
They have been identified as Chris Kikuli alias Dindodi, Samuel Muwanguzi alias Foster Faruk Wambogo alias Yellow Skin and Ramazan Magumba.
Investigations reveal that on October 1, 2023, the gang robbed two Chinese fish maw traders of 175 million Uganda shillings in Jinja City.
The thieves commandeered the traders’ Toyota Regius (UAZ 949S) and dumped them in a Budondo swamp in the dead of night.
The stolen fish maw (locally known as enunno) was later sold on the black market at a giveaway price to some unsuspecting traders.
The Kiira Regional Police spokesperson SP James Mubi hailed the arrests, citing the new policing concept that emphasizes borderless operations and prosecution-guided investigations.
“…criminals have no more place to run or hide, and as the police we shall continue to cooperate so that we rid the country of all wrong elements for Uganda to become a crime-free country…”,he declared.
The five fresh suspects and the nine already in the coolers are on the case file of aggravated robbery and kidnap CRB 1014/2023 of CPS Jinja Central.
The criminal gangsters have been operating in areas of Kisenyi Ghetto in Kampala, Jinja City, Kamuli, Iganga, Bugweri, Bugiri, Busia and Mbale where they leave a trail of injuries.
“…they always target city traders at facilities like fuel refilling stations,factories,banks,wealthy individuals and vulnerable residents in Bugembe,Mpumudde,Mafubira and Walukuba-Masese areas…”,Mubi noted.
Residents have lauded the police team led by the Kiira RPC SSP Charles Nsaba and the Regional CID D/SSP Monday Johnson Agaba for their tireless efforts which explain why violent crime wave of panga-wielding men (bijambya) in Jinja is falling.
“…we appreciate you people(police), the CID,Crime intelligence and others for always arresting these spoiled youth who want to reap from where they have not sown…”,some city dwellers were heard commenting.
What You Need to Know:
Aggravated robbery in Uganda is defined under sections 285 and 286(2) of the penal Code Act.
This type of robbery involves the use or threat of actual violence to obtain money, property or if the offender is armed with a dangerous weapon, or if the victim suffers harm during the robbery.
To prove aggravated robbery, the prosecution must show that theft occurred (property was taken from the victim, use or threat of violence), the offender used or threatened violence against the victim or others.
The other ingredients that prosecution must prove are that the offender was armed with a weapon that could cause harm and that the victim suffered physical harm during the robbery.
If convinced of aggravated robbery, the maximum penalty is death, although this is typically reserved for the most severe cases.
The courts consider factors like severity of the offense, the harm caused and the offender’s intentions when determining the sentence.
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