KAMPALA, (UG): The Directorate of Crime Intelligence in coordination with the territorial police teams in Kampala Metropolitan and Greater Masaka, have connected a notorious 24-year-old gang leader to 13 cases of Aggravated Robbery, 8 within Kampala and an additional 5 others in the Greater Masaka area.
The suspected gang leader identified as Mbaziira Ronald, alias Magezi, 24, is a resident of Ngobe Bunamwaya, in Wakiso municipality.
According to Police Spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga, Magezi was successfully apprehended last Monday, July 31, 2023, from Modern Guest House in Kabawo zone, Mutundwe Parish in Rubaga Division.
Enanga explained that before his eventual arrest, the suspect was first intercepted together with Ssendaula Jamil aka younger, and Akandwanaho Fahad, aka Paul on a motor vehicle registration number UBJ 267T, along Namasole road while on a robbery mission.
“He had been arrested, and as he was being taken for medical examination in Katwe, he managed to escape from the detectives who were negligent,” SCP Enanga told journalists yesterday at police headquarters in Naguru.
“We have managed to fast-track some of the cases where he was actively involved, and we now have 13 counts against him, 8 within the Kampala area, and an additional 5 cases in greater Masaka,” he added.
According to the Police Spokesperson, the notorious group that has been using pangas and iron bars has been linked to the home-invasion attack and robbery of Muzito Julius, Ziranumbu cell, Busabala parish, in Makindye, where they robbed Ugx 90m; the robbery at the home of CP Genevas Tumuhimbise, in Kyengera Town Council.
“They admitted to having participated in 8 Aggravated Robberies in the Kampala area. On 22 May 2023, the criminal gang broke into the home of Bihungilo Ruth, a 42-year-old, located in Walufumbe zone, Kyanja Parish, Kira Municipality, where they robbed a SAR gun from a security guard of SEK Security, 2 Tvs flat screen and 8 million shillings.”
Enanga says the same group also carried out several home invasion attacks and robberies that included; the Attempted Robbery on the home of Murungi Perezi, a retired police officer, located in Bwebajja cell in Kajjansi Police responded promptly and they abandoned the SAR gun they had and other breaking implements before escaping.
“The gang was also behind the attack on Qui Feng, a 34-year-old, Director of China State Construction Company, in Nyanama Rubaga Division on 26 May 2023, where they robbed 3 mobile phones and USD 300; they also admitted to having attacked and robbed Ugx 500,000/= and 6 mobile phones from the home of John Garang, a South Sudanese National, as well as the attack and robbery on Kobusinge Diana and Nalukwago Yudaya, in Lufuka zone, from whom they robbed Ugx 7.8m, USD 500 and 7 mobile phones.
The gang leader had by the time of his arrest shifted his criminal base to the Nyendo-Mukungwe division in Masaka City, where he had participated in 5 other Aggravated Robberies in Masaka and Kyazanga.
“An assortment of exhibits including a SAR gun belonging to SEK Security Company, a pistol that was recovered in a toilet in Mugongo zone, Kyengera Town Council, where he was renting, Enanga said.
Other exhibits included; 4 flat TVs, 5 sharp pangas, headed face masks, house-breaking implements and master keys.
Police’s Annual crime report released early this year shows that there has been a sharp rise in the number of crimes committed in the country in the year 2022, compared to the previous year.
According to the report, robbery cases rose up in 2022 by 30% from 5275 to 6854 whereas homicides rose up by 3% to 4043 from 3912 reported the previous year, 2021.
SCP Enanga said that the arrest of the notorious gang leader, Mbaziira Ronald, alias Magezi, demonstrates the force’s resolve and commitment to rid violent criminals from the community.
“We continue to assure the communities that we are doing everything within our means to disrupt and dismantle such kinds of violent and deadly criminal gangs.”
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