Police have in custody one of their own senior officers for leading a gang that robbed shs1.2 billion on gunpoint in Mpigi district earlier this year.
Assistant Superintendent of Police James Kakana , the officer in charge of Namayingo Police station was arrested together with Josephat Nuwagaba, Richard Kyomuhendo and Moses Lubega for staging intercepting a taxi and robbed $317,900( approximately shs1.2bn) on September, 19, 2023.
According to Senior Commissioner of Police, Hadija Namutebi, the Police’s Chief Political Commissar, on the fateful day, at Nakirebe along the Kampala-Masaka highway, the thugs including one in police uniform with a pistol, another in a UPDF uniform and others in civilian attire were travelling in a Super Custom vehicle whose number plates were concealed with MK army stickers when they intercepted the taxi and robbed the cash.
“With the help of the CCTV footage viewed at Be Energy Petrol Station, and through intelligence, the four suspects were arrested and their residences were searched for possible evidence. The suspects were interviewed and their statements were recorded where they admitted participating in the robbery and mentioned their associates,”Namutebi said.
She noted that the vehicle, registration number UAW 187W a Super Custom used during the robbery was recovered whereas another vehicle, a Subaru registration number UBN 291A which was bought using part of the robbed cash $10,700 was recovered.
“Shs 591,000 was also recovered from Nuwagaba Josephat. Household items like Sofa set chairs, TV sets, cooking utensils, and other assorted properties were recovered from the home of Lubega Moses all as proceeds of the robbed money.”
She said the ASP Kakana who had earlier escaped arrested from his station in Namayingo was later arrested from Nansana in Wakiso, noting that they have since been arraigned before the Mpigi grade one magistrate’s court on charges of aggravated robbery.
Namutebi condemned the actions of the police officer that she said don’t represent the force, noting that they will follow the matter to the latter to ensure justice for the victims.
