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Several number plates of suspected stolen motor vehicles and three notorious robbers were arrested, according to SCP Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson.
In Masaka, on January 3, police officers from Bukoto Police Station, while providing security at a burial ceremony in Butale village, noticed three thugs who were targeting motor vehicles parked at the function. The officers acted swiftly and arrested one suspect called Faruku Lukyamuzi, 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, according to Enanga, several number plates of different vehicles were found hidden under the car seats. They recovered a grey Premio under registration number UAK762T.
In a separate development, the Flying Squad Unit in Masaka on January 5, at around 9 A.M. gave a chase to suspected thugs who were surveilling around in a motor vehicle under fake number plate UBM858N. The team fired and deflated the tyres of the get-away vehicle near Total Petrol Station along Masaka-Kyotera road, bringing the vehicle to a full halt.
One suspect, Edward Ddamulira, a 40-year-old male and resident of Kvrumbi zone in Nateete, Kampala was arrested. Enanga said 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, Mukono Flying Squad arrested one John Wandera, 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 color. Wandera and his accomplices stole the vehicle from Nsangi. His accomplices who are on the run include Isaac Wasiko, Patrick Mukyepere, Gideon Kanyankole and Ivan.
"The racket has been selling the stolen motor vehicles to Siraje in Iganga and Brian of Bwaise who are all wanted," Enanga said in a January 10 statement. "Also recovered are a motor vehicle registration UBB 071U, a motorcycle registration number UFL 975H, and a Premio Super with a fake number plate UAW 025L. We have established that after stealing the motor vehicles, they alter the chassis number, color, and number plates. The operation is ongoing."
Police said the arrest of the notorious criminal rackets demonstrates their resolve to fight and counter criminal elements behind motor vehicle robberies.