MASAKA – A joint operation of police and sister security agencies in Greater Masaka Region has led to the arrest of seven suspects who are said to have been stealing motorcyclists and killing cyclists in the area.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 25 ,are residents of Mukudde Zone Nyendo -Ssenyange Division, Kyengera, Wakiso District and Kisseka Sub-County in Lwengo District .
They were caught with exhibits of five motorcycles in various areas where they have been residing.
The recovered motorcycles are currently parked at Masaka Central Police Station.
According to Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Paul Kangave, one of the stolen motorcycles had a tracking device which enabled them to track down the suspect in his hide out in Lwengo District .
“He [suspect] was with the stolen motorcycle and after arresting him, he helped our team to arrest his counterparts in other area,” he said after addressing Journalists at Masaka Central Police Station on Tuesday.
“We appeal to all people in the boda boda industry with means to install tracking devices to do so because it simplifies our work,” he said.
Over the last two months, boda boda thefts have been on the rise. Last month, police identified at least five victims of the Kabadia criminal gang whose two members were captured on CCTV footage on June 30 while taking part in the gruesome killing of Derrick Muwonge, a boda boda cyclist from Nabweru South Zone in Kampala.
Police arrested John Bosco Mugisha, alias Mukiga, who allegedly hit Muwonge with a claw hammer, killing him instantly. Police later arrested his alleged accomplice Aloysius Tamale, alias Young Mulo, who is reported to have strangled Muwonge.
The duo allegedly murdered Muwonge in Kakeka in Mengo and stole his motorcycle.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said the gang was responsible for killing other motorcycle riders: Damiano Sekalala on April 24 in Makindye, Abdullah Nsubuga on January 21 in Kizungu, Makindye, Godfrey Nkata, who was killed on June 3, Emmanuel Gatete killed on March 13 near St Agnes School on Salaama Road, Makindye and Tom Wamala killed on June 2. There was an unidentified motorcycle rider who was killed on May 29 in Kanisa zone.
