The Flying Squad Units in Masaka and Mukono have conducted 3 separate operations against thugs behind the theft of motor vehicles, within their jurisdictions.

According to Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police Spokesperson, a total of 5 motor vehicles and 1 motorcycle were recovered, several number plates of suspected stolen motor vehicles and three notorious robbers were arrested.

Enanga says that in Masaka on January 3, 2024, Police officers from Bukoto police, while providing security at a burial ceremony in Butale village, noticed 3 thugs who were targeting motor vehicles, parked at the function.

He says the officers acted swiftly and arrested one suspect called Lukyamuzi Faruku, a 28-year-old, land blocker of Kyengera town council in Wakiso who led them to the recovery of the motor vehicle, they were using. Upon search, several number plates of different vehicles were found hidden under the car seats. The recovered motor vehicle a grey Premio under registration number UAK762T, with breaking implements, was impounded

In a separate development, the Flying Squad Unit in Masaka on January 5, 20244 at around, 9 am, gave a chase, to suspected thugs who were surveilling around, in a motor vehicle under fake number plate UBM 858N.

“The team fired and deflated the tyres of the get-away vehicle, near Total Petrol Station, along Masaka-Kyotera road, which brought the vehicle to a full halt. One suspect, Ddamulira Edward, a 40 year old, male adult, and resident of Kvrumbi zone, Nateete Kampala, was arrested,” said Enanga.

Police say Ddamulira admitted how they have been using master keys to rob valuables from vehicles parked in busy places, hotels, markets and vehicles parked on roadsides, within the greater Kampala area, other cities and major towns.

“The suspect was picked by two of his accomplices from Kyengera and their target was Masaka City, where they had already broken into two motor vehicles, one in Nabyewanga, where they stole a bag with clothes and in Lukaya town, where they stole an infinix mobile phone and a bag containing clothes. Their motor vehicle was using a fake number UBM 858N, that was fixed on top of the original number plate UBA 858N.”

In another development, the police in Mukono Flying Squad, arrested one Wandera John alias Katiginyi, a notorious car robber, from Namubiru village, Nama sub-county while selling a suspected stolen motor vehicle under registration number UBE 973W canter white in colour, which he and his accomplices stole from Nsangi. His two accomplices who are on the run include Wasiko Isaac, Patrick Mukyepere, Kanyankole Gideon and Ivan.

Police learnt that the racket was selling the stolen motor vehicles to Siraje in Iganga and Brian of Bwaise who are all wanted.

“Also recovered are a motor vehicle registration UBB 071U, motorcycle registration number UFL 975H, and a Premio super with fake number plate UAW 025L. We have established that after stealing the motor vehicles, they alter the chassis number, colour and number plate. The operation is ongoing,” police said.

“The arrest of the notorious criminal rackets demonstrates our resolve to fight and counter criminal elements behind motor vehicle robberies and bodabodas. We also want to applaud our Flying Squad teams and thank all volunteers for the information that helped us to crack down on those criminal gangs. The operations are ongoing,” added Enanga.