The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) yesterday (Sunday) confirmed that it arrested Abdallah Kitaata, the patron Bodaboda 2010 Association, together with 30 other people.
The members were arrested in connection with the murder of case hospital accountant Francis Ekalungar.
In its operations, the army also arrested John Ssebandeke, Fred Bwanika Hassan Ssengoba, Joel Kibirige, Johnathan Kayondo and Sunday Ssemogerere.
Others are Sadam Kiseka,Ssemogerere, Asaf Barigye Asaf,Joseph Nsindazi,ThomasNgobi Sowali Arinaitwe, Ibrahim Ssekaja, Frank Ssozi, Shaban Kirya Shaban,Hussein Mugema and JoramKagajju, among others.
Ekalugar was kidnapped, murdered and his burnt body was discovered by police in Kajjansi, along Entebbe road.
Kitaata has a case to answer
The deputy UPDF spokesperson, Lt.Col.Deo Akiiki, revealed that since Ekaluga was murdered, the security agencies have been working together to bring the suspects to book until Friday when they mounted an operation that yielded results.
“Acting on very reliable information, on Friday, an operation was conducted to arrest one of the suspects Huzairu Kiwalabye,” Akiiki said in a statement released on Sunday afternoon.
Akiiki also said after interrogating Kiwalabye, investigations led them to the arrest of his brother Abdul Kitatta, the patron of Boda Boda 2010, a notorious gang of motorcycle riders known for terrorizing fellow riders.
The army also stated that in the swoop, they also arrested Muzamiru Mawa, a driver to Dr.Ssebbale Kato, the proprietor of Case hospital and two other Congolese nationals, including Kikandi Muhindo and David Bizimani from whose residence, the deceased’s vehicle, a Toyota Premio, was recovered.
“More detailed investigations will be conducted with a view of arresting all those still at large and prosecuting them. Currently those arrested are held at a police post in Kireka,” the statement reads.
The army said it will continue working with other security agencies to guarantee peace in the country.
Operations
By 9pm on Saturday evening, CMI is reported to have arrested Kitaata, who also doubles as the chairperson of NRM party Rubaga division.
His arrest followed a raid CMI conducted, arresting of other seven leaders of Boda boda cyclists on Saturday morning at Top Radio, a local radio station located in Bwaise. Police tried to intervene in the fracas but heavily-armed military men drove away the suspects.
Bodaboda riders protested
Last Friday, CMI arrested a member of Boda Boda 2010 Association suspected of being involved in the murder of Case Hospital Accountant Francis Ekalunga.
This didn’t go well with some cyclists and hundreds of them went on the streets, protesting the move.
“The security men arrested an innocent. That’s why we demonstrated,” a member of bodaboda association, who feared to be mention told PML Daily.
The protests started in Natete, a city suburb where the association offices are situated, up to the city centre. This was not the first time for bodaboda cyclists to demonstrate. In 2013, when KCCA wanted them to register, Kitaata mobilised them to demonstrated.
To calm the situation last Friday the Police had to use live bullets and teargas to disperse the protesters who had blocked the main roads leading to the city.
The angry cyclists also burnt tyres in the middle of the roads. This was done to put pressure on CMI release one of their members.
