Kampala, (UG):- The Crime Intelligence Unit in Kampala Metropolitan Police in coordination with the Flying Squad Unit have arrested four suspects, who are members of a taxi criminal gang that has been targeting women going to work very early in the morning, or returning late from work and robbing from them.
The development was Monday confirmed by Police Spokesperson, SCP Fred Enanga while addressing journalists at Naguru Police Headquarters in Kampala.
“The suspects, disguised as taxi operators, would lure the female victims to their taxi, where they would strangle and suffocate them using polythene bags. They would proceed to rob their bags, smartphones and other valuables and then dump the bodies of the victims, within Kajjansi Town Council,” explained Enanga.
The joint-task team according to Enanga tracked down the first 3 suspects; Katongole Abbas, Matovu Ronald (both conductors) and Turyashemererwa Herbert.
“The fourth and key suspect, Nuwagaba Isaac, aged 32, and driver of the taxis, was arrested from Rwakimuli cell, Bukinda sub-county, in Rukiga district,” he said.
Upon arrest, police conducted a search from him and tangible exhibits were recovered, including Techno Spark black phones, one with a line of Nassali Jenipher, who was murdered, a Samsung phone with two sim cards, a red handbag, a yellow jumper, 6 mobile covers, cash Ugx 500,000= among other exhibits.
“In addition, two taxis operating along Kampala – Entebbe allegedly used in the commission of the atrocities, under registration number UAU 737T and UAV 473Y, were impounded and parked at Kajjansi CPS,” Mr Enanga said.
In a narration of the different accounts of the robbery and murder incidents, Enanga said the first incident of abduction and murder occurred on 31st March 2024, where one Awori Judith, a 25-year-old, waitress at Royal Ark Restaurant in Lweza Cell, Ndejje in Kajjansi Town Council was found murdered and her body dumped near St. Luke Church in Lweza.
The victim, according to police reports was allegedly strangled to death from an unknown place and dumped near the church.
Again on the 23rd of April 2024, another body of an unknown female adult was found in a sack of Kawotto Cell in Kajjansi Town Council. “It was dumped by a male suspect, who was captured on camera, fleeing from the scene, after setting fire to the body of the dead victim,” said Enanga.
On the 29th of April, 2024, another report was made at Kajjansi Police Station, after another female adult, identified as Nassali Jenipher, was murdered by unknown persons and her body dumped at Bweya cell in Kajjansi town council. The deceased had signs of strangulation, around the neck area, face was blindfolded in a polythene bag.
And then on the 9th of May, 2024, another body of a female adult victim, that was unknown was found dumped along Jjanja – Lutembe beach road, at around 9 am, by an unidentified motor vehicle.
On 15th May 2024, a report of the disappearance of Nangobi Sandra was made at Kajjansi Police Division, by her mother Tendo Sulaina, after the victim left home at Kitende, “B” cell, Kajjansi town council at 5 am, but did not reach her workplace in Makindye. The victim’s phone was switched off and her whereabouts were unknown.
Mr Enanga explained that the information collected shows there is substantial evidence linking the gang’s involvement in the disappearance and death of the victims.
“The modus operandi in relation to the deaths of the 5 women, is similar, and the motive was robbery. We have obtained DNA samples for comparison, with the samples picked from the bodies of the victims and from the two taxis,” he said.
Police cautioned members of the public who leave home in the early hours or leave work late to stay vigilant and very careful while boarding taxis, especially those that are not from the gazetted stage points, and those whose occupants are all male.
“Moving in groups is also advised because serial killers prey on lone and vulnerable victims,” Enanga advised.
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