Five arrested in crackdown on notorious criminal gangs in Busoga

Busoga Region, (UG): The Directorate of Crime Intelligence has arrested five suspects following an intelligence-led operation targeting robbers who were terrorising residents in the districts of Bugiri, Mayuge, Kamuli, and Luuka, through ambushes, illegal roadblocks, abductions of drivers and robbery of goods in transit among others.

The gang according to Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga was using camouflage uniforms and would target businesspersons, whom they would rob or abduct and dump them at faraway locations, after robbing them.

During the operation, the crime intelligence teams intercepted a Toyota Mark X registration Number UBM 298T, along Kaliro road and arrested one suspect, Mulangira Hassan alias Goowa, a 25-year-old, and resident of Ndijalulya village, Mukuba in Bugiri and Lukoma Abasa Lasuli alias “Sulu” an 18-year-old, resident of Kasugu Mayuge district.

“Through expansive intelligence, one Kumbuga Martin was arrested from Igamba village in Iganga municipality together with pte Mulegule Swaibu and Fatuma Hamisi, the wife to the gang leader, Goowa Sadat who is at large, so far, 4 male suspects and one female, were arrested,” Enanga explained in a Monday police statement.

He added; “A second motor vehicle registration number UBG 879T, Mark X, Silver grey, was recovered from the home of the gang leader, and an assortment of army uniforms from the home of Ivan, who is still at large. A third motor vehicle registration number UBB 716T, mark 2 grand white was also recovered.”

It is also alleged that the same gang is behind the robbery of Ugx 100m from a businessman in Iganga.

Police hailed the great work done by the crime intelligence task team and territorial teams in the Greater Busoga, and that the arrest of the 5 suspects demonstrates its resolve and commitment to disrupt and dismantle, such kinds of violent criminal gangs.

“The operation is still active and ongoing,” Enanga concluded.