Views: 0
The Military Police are holding 10 UPDF soldiers at Makindye Military Barracks. Two of the soldiers, armed with a gun, are said to have staged an illegal roadblock on the Ndejje-Kakoola road in Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality, harassed locals, and paralyzed transport for over an hour on Wednesday night. Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed to NTV that another eight soldiers then stormed Mutungo Community Police Post located in the same area, to rescue their colleagues.
Additional reporting by Daily Monitor
“We are investigating the aggravated robbery and also aiding suspects to escape from lawful custody,” Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Luke Owoyesigyire said on Thursday.READ: President makes U-turn on roadblocksCrime in the city: Kampala is now in the bloody hands of gangstersPolice officers, Crime preventer arrested over staging illegal roadblocks to extort moneyPolice warn of new crime waveIt is alleged that suspects armed and dressed in military fatigues erected an illegal road block at Kakoola village in Ndejje Parish on Wednesday at around 9:30pm.The victims of the aggravated robbery reported to the police that dispatched a patrol car with armed personnel.Upon seeing a police car, the suspects fired several bullets in the air. But the officers stood their ground and confronted the suspects and disarmed them.A source said the suspects identified as Pte Job Reti and Pte Orete Were were arrested and detained at Lumuli Police Station for questioning.What appeared to be a success for police was, however, short-lived when hours later a Toyota Land Cruiser occupied by eight armed soldiers arrived at Lumuli Police Station.They demanded that the police hands over the suspects.The source said when the police officers refused, they put everyone at gunpoint.After subduing all the police officers, the soldiers removed their suspected colleagues from the police custody.Police identified the leader of group that aided the escape of suspects as UPDF Sergeant Tonny Opio and another as Pius Lutaya.READ: Roadblock-staging gangs make comeback in WakisoTension as armed robbers terrorise Kampala suburbsSlain lawyer’s last words to her husband, daughterChanging face of urban crimePolice to set up special unit for urban criminalityThe group that aided the escape later drove to Mutungo Police and reported a case claiming that suspects were injured and needed to be given first aid. However, they did not disclose to police the health facility the suspects were being taken.Several cases of illegal roadblocks which started about 10 years ago in Kampala City, districts of Wakiso, Mityana and Greater Luweero have been reported to be on the increase of late. Cases have been reported on Nakawuka-Kasanje Road, Kayunga-Ssenge-Kawa Road and Wakiso-Matugga-Kasangati Road.The gang members allegedly dressed in military fatigue, erect barricades in the middle of the road and pretend to be on routine security checks.When unsuspecting motorists set their foot off the gas pedal, the thugs strike with all their might.The army has on several occasions denied allegations that their officers are involved.They have been putting the crime on civilian gangs that allegedly steal their military equipment and use them in crime.Police commanders at Kampala Metropolitan Police said they are to contact the army to help in re-arrest the suspects in the Ndejje incident and those who aided their arrest.
Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that investigations into the incident have kicked off.