In an effort to crack down on motorcycle theft in the country, the Kiira regional police command has intensified a comprehensive manhunt for the prime suspects behind the boda-boda theft network operating in the Busoga sub-region.
Three prime suspects involved in this unlawful practice were arrested on Sunday, December 22, 2024, and charged with murder and aggravated robbery.
The suspects, who are currently detained at Jinja Central Police Station, include Fahad Magambo, a 25-year-old carpenter and resident of Buwenge Mpya in Kamuli Municipality, Kamuli District; Ali Ekido, a 48-year-old mechanic from Ojukai Village, Atooto Sub-County in Ngora District; and 42-year-old John Ebunyu, a resident of Omatai Village, Okoboi Sub-County in Kapelebyong District.
“These culprits, along with others still at large, organize their illegal activities during the early hours of the morning, targeting boda-boda riders operating at night in all the districts of Busoga, mainly focusing on Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Namayingo, Namutumba, Bugiri, Luuka, Kaliro, and Mayuge,” said SP James Mubi, the Kiira regional police spokesperson, in an interview with Busoga Today on Sunday.
He added that the crackdown followed the murder of Charles Taligola, a boda-boda rider who was brutally killed, and his motorcycle, UGD 294M, was stolen between the night of December 7 and 8, 2024, in Wakitaka, Northern Division, Jinja City.
The deceased was later laid to rest in Kiyunga, Kisozi Sub-County, Kamuli District.
“Kiira regional police command, led by SSP Charles Nsaba, instructed crime intelligence to track down the suspects. Intensified tracking is ongoing and has so far led to the arrest of the three main suspects,” Mr. Mubi noted.
Following their apprehension, Fahad Magambo confessed to having sold at least five suspected stolen motorcycles to Ali Ekido in Ngora District. These included the late Taligola’s motorcycle, which was stolen after his murder in Jinja City.
Magambo revealed that he uses the route from Kamuli to Namwendwa, then to Kaliro-Gadhumire and Pallisa.
“It is my father who introduced me to these activities,” Magambo told police at Jinja CPS.
According to Mubi, a serious manhunt is underway for Magambo’s father, identified as Peter Magambo Sekitoleko, a resident of Kamuli District.
Mubi further stated that Peter Magambo Sekitoleko instructed his son to travel to Ngora District and deliver the stolen motorcycle, UGD 294M, to Ali Ekido, a mechanic. Ekido then handed over Shs 3.8 million to Magambo to take back to his father.
Ekido later contacted John Ebunyu in Napak District, informing him that he was selling a motorcycle with all its genuine documents. The two agreed on a sale, prompting Ekido to travel to Napak to deliver the motorcycle. While in Napak, they made a sales agreement for Shs 4.5 million, but Ebunyu paid only Shs 3.5 million, leaving a balance of Shs 1 million.
Ekido handed over a forged logbook and a photocopy of the national ID in the name of Paul Mugombesha, explaining that the national ID belonged to the original buyer of the motorcycle.
“Police have thoroughly verified that the documents are forgeries,” Mubi said.
He added that “Kiira regional police collaborated with other police regions to ensure smooth operations aimed at breaking the motorcycle theft racket and facilitating the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.”
According to Mubi, it has been established that Teso and Karamoja sub-regions form a major market corridor for nearly all stolen motorcycles from the Busoga sub-region.
Kiira regional CID officer SSP Monday Johnson Agaba has designated a special desk at each of the three police divisions, including Jinja Central, Buwenge, and Kakira CPS. These desks will specifically handle motorcycle theft cases expeditiously.
The designated officers recently completed a two-week intensive capacity-building training course on handling such cases, which has instilled fear in the public.
Boda-boda theft has become increasingly rampant, with criminals targeting motorcycles and the lives of riders. Earlier in November this year, Willy Isabirye, a 19-year-old, was also murdered in Jinja City, and his motorcycle was stolen.
