Police in Kawempe Division have arrested a gang of six criminals behind the increased theft of motorcycles in Lugoba Village Urban Council, Kawempe Division.
The arrests followed an intelligence led operation carried out on the 19th of April, 2023, following a tip-off from a locals.
The suspects have been identified as Mayanja Godfrey, Mukunda Charles, Asiimwe Brian, Katongole Reagan, Tamale Vincent, and Kayemba Elvis.
Police say they were found in possession of stolen motorcycles and were planning to dismantle them for sale.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metopolitan Deputy Spokesperson says during a search operation, the police were able to recover several stolen items, including number plates, side mirrors, and number plate guards.
He says one of the supects, Mayanja Godfrey, a mechanic, was arrested from his residence in Lugoba Village Urban Council, with two stolen number plates, UEZ 616M and UEV 832P, two pairs of side mirrors, and two number plate guards.
Mayanja led police to Mukunda Charles, who was later arrested with a stolen motorcycle. Mukunda also confessed to stealing the motorcycle from his boss, and he led the police to Semakau’s parking yard, where they recovered another stolen motorcycle.
Owoyesigyire says further investigations led to the arrest of Asiimwe Brian, who was found in possession of several stolen items, including four black helmets, 13 sit guards of motorcycle number plates, six side mirrors, two trucking devices, two ignition switches, and one rope of about 7 meters used in their operations.
Asiimwe led the police to Tamale Vincent, who was also involved in the theft of motorcycles. Tamale led the police to Katongole Reagan, who had stolen a motorcycle from Kikoni Makerere.
He says the other suspect Kayemba Elvis, a gatekeeper of a certain house where stolen motorcycles were kept, was also arrested, and the police were able to recover a stolen Bajaji boxer motorcycle.
“It is evident that this group of individuals has been operating within Kawempe, stealing motorcycles and changing number plates to avoid detection. The police suspect that there may be more individuals involved in this criminal activity and investigations are ongoing.” says Owoyesigyire
Owoyesigyire says the suspects have been charged and are pending prosecution. However, one Aka Mulugwala and others are still at large, and the police are urging the public to come forward with any information that may lead to their arrest.