Masaka District, Uganda: Police in Masaka have arrested Bruno Juuko, a suspected ringleader of an armed robbery syndicate accused of orchestrating a wave of violent crimes across the Masaka Sub-region.
Juuko was apprehended on Friday night during a high-level joint operation conducted by police and sister security agencies following the recovery of two rifles believed to have been used by his gang.
The 38-year-old suspect was tracked down and arrested at his hideout in Buddo, Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District, after a week-long hunt that followed a robbery at Mazima Bugaga Coffee Factory in Kyotera District.
On Tuesday, five of Juuko’s alleged accomplices were intercepted by police at Kizigo Village in Kyanamukkaka Sub-county, Masaka District, while fleeing the scene of the robbery where they reportedly attacked the factory manager, Andrew Kaggwa, and made off with UGX 50 million.
During the ambush, one of the suspects, Lawrence Ssenuumu—believed to have been in possession of the stolen money—was shot dead in a brief exchange with security operatives.
Southern Regional Police Spokesperson Mr. Twaha Kasirye confirmed Juuko’s arrest and praised the collaborative efforts of the security teams for breaking up what he described as a dangerous and well-coordinated criminal network.
“We commend our gallant officers for dismantling this notorious racket. The suspect in our custody will be charged with robbery once investigations are complete,” Mr. Kasirye stated.
Police recovered crucial exhibits from the scene, including a motorcycle bearing registration number UFV 988N, which the gang is believed to have used in a string of heists across Masaka, Kyotera, and surrounding districts.
Security sources also disclosed that the two rifles recovered during the operation are consistent with weapons used by the Counter Terrorism Police Unit, raising serious concerns about the gang’s source of armament.
Juuko’s arrest is expected to lead to further arrests as investigations continue into the gang’s wider network, suspected to be behind several recent attacks on business operators and financial institutions across southern Uganda.
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