Jinja: Police in Jinja city are holding at least 30 suspected thugs who have allegedly been terrorizing people in the city and around.
The group was reportedly arrested on their way to Bugweri district to send off their colleague only identified as Briton, who according to police was lynched by mob for allegedly snatching a phone.
While addressing the press, ASP James Mubi, the Kiira region police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of the 30 males whom he says they have been wanted by police over robbery related cases.
“These are the people we have for all along been looking for. We used our intelligence having hinted that they are going for a burial of their own in Bugweri district and we got them in a coaster at Kakira check point,” says Mubi adding that they have been using motorcycles and a car (Subaru) to rob people but we used our cameras to monitor them.
Mubi revealed that the suspects who are currently detained at Jinja Central Police station, some have been on arrest warrants over murder and robbery. He cited a one, Hajji, who is said to have participated in the murder of a female local bouncer, Prossy Nyanga, who was last year in November killed in Bugembe, a suburb of Jinja city.
“These are going directly to court, they will be charged with murder, simple robbery, drug abuse and we are gathering more evidence on this,” he said.
The officer expressed concern on the reluctance of Jinja city authorities whom he accuses of giving liberty to people to sleep more than ten in rented rooms. He asked locals to report such incidences to security to question such people and landlords.
Simon Musobya Eria, the Jinja City Bodaboda rider’s chairperson, refuted the allegations that his crew is the one spreading the gospel of theft in town. He says they were invaded by thugs who use boda-bodas to rob people.
“These youths are using motorcycles with machetes, knives and a moment they get you, you are left with nothing. They are just tarnishing our job but they are not of my group and if there is one, police must produce him to us,” says Musobya.
Musobya said they are in collaborating with police to ensure such practices are curbed. He called upon colleagues to desist from unidentified persons whom he says are the thugs.
