Jinja: Startling new details have emerged regarding the individual who allegedly posed as a State House representative, a UPDF officer, a DPP personnel, a police officer, and a judicial officer. Abudalla Haman Nuwagaba Ssempijja, a 39-year-old resident of Magwa Crescent in Jinja’s Southern division, was arrested by Jinja police on Tuesday and subsequently presented in Jinja magistrate court, where he was remanded to Kirinya prison until August 21.
In a remarkable turn of events, more than 50 individuals, now complainants, converged on Jinja central police station on Wednesday, testifying to the harrowing experiences they suffered at the hands of the alleged perpetrator. Their testimonies painted a picture of fraud, coercion, and even physical torture that they endured due to Nuwagaba’s actions. Notably, Nuwagaba is believed to be a leader of a criminal gang that employs firearms to terrorize victims.
One of the victims, Faizo Masinde, a resident of Kivubuka in Jinja city, recounted a traumatic ordeal. He was abducted by gunmen dressed in plain clothes and led by Nuwagaba, who falsely accused him of possessing a firearm. The victim was forcibly taken to Jinja CPS, where he was subjected to undue pressure and later transferred to Kampala CPS, all while enduring severe physical abuse.
In Masinde’s words, “They took me to what I believe were not authentic police offices, as there was no one wearing official Uganda police attire. I was coerced into paying shs.4 million, but I could only gather shs.3.5 million after contacting my wife, who promptly deposited the money into their account. This act ultimately saved my life.”
Emmanuel, another victim, found himself ensnared in the same trap. Gang members transported him to Kakira, where he was brutally assaulted under the pretext of possessing illicit items, including a firearm. After parting with shs.2.5 million, he was abandoned at Bugembe police station, his body battered and his wounds unattended.
Troublingly, both victims received threats from Nuwagaba after filing their reports with Jinja police, demonstrating his brazen disregard for the consequences of his actions. Reports suggest that this criminal group maintains a hidden location, a torture chamber within Mabira along the Jinja-Kampala highway, where abhorrent acts of violence are carried out.
SP James Mubi, the spokesperson for Kiira region police, called upon other individuals who have fallen victim to Nuwagaba’s fraudulent schemes and suffered similar torment to come forward and share their experiences at Jinja police CPS. SP Mubi confirmed that new cases have been opened against Nuwagaba and that ongoing investigations are actively progressing to apprehend all involved in these criminal activities.
