MBARARA —Police together with the Directorate of Crime Intelligence have arrested two members of a criminal gang that have allegedly been masterminding kidnap, aggravated robberies and murders in Ntungamo, Mbarara and surrounding districts.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga said the duo identified as Sam Rukundo,26, and Julius Tusingwire alias Kabaya, was arrested in separate operations.
Mr Enanga said Rukundo was picked from his hideout in industrial area, Kampala.
He said the suspect’s other accomplices, who were arrested earlier and charged in court, include; Kalenzi Rogers, Nuwagaba Obadiah, Bahati Fred, Mbogo Brian, Tumwine Augustine and Sam Nkurunzinza.
“They participated in 17 armed robberies using 4 guns and 3 motorcycles in their operation from August, 2019 to- date. These include; 5 in Ntungamo, 2 in Kiboga, 01 in Bulaga, 01 in Kyengera, 01 in Matugga, 01 in Bulenga, 01 in Wakaliga, 01 in Kasangati, 01 in Kibibi,01 in Kitemu, Masaka road, 01 in Mbale and 01 in Lyantonde,” Mr Enanga said.
He said Kabaya has been behind the several cases of kidnappings for ransom, in Mbarara and the surrounding districts.
Mr Enanga said the suspect was tracked down using advanced surveillance methods, and arrested on November 25, 2019, for the kidnap of Musimenta David, a 4 year old male juvenile. “He demanded for a ransom of UGX6m and later scaled down to UGX 1m. The victim was recovered on the 13/11/2019,” he saod.
The police spokesman said Kabaya also participated in the kidnap of Isabella Mungu, a 4 year old, female juvenile from Buteraniro Cell, Nyeihanga Town Council, Rwampara District, on the 3/10/2019.
“On the 19/10/2019, the suspect kidnapped Abaho Daniel a 9 year old, male juvenile, from Bujaga Cell Nyeihanga Town Council, whom he later abandoned near their home, where she was recovered from. And on the 28/10/2019, the suspect participated in the kidnap of Arinaitwe Archangelo, a money lender of Kaberebere Town Council. He was recovered later but unconscious. On the 15/11/2019, his criminal gang was again involved in the kidnap of Byaruhanga Samuel, a 6 year old, male juvenile from Kaberebere Town Council, whom they later abandoned in Nyamitanga, Mbarara after 3 days,” Mr Enanga said.
“We strongly believe, the two major arrests have put a huge dent in the criminal activities of these gangs. This also shows our resolve to fight and eliminate gang crime in all our neighborhoods,” he added.
