KAMPALA: Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson has revealed that the Police has continued to receive complaints where criminals in conspiracy with rogue taxi drivers and conductors, rob innocent passengers of their valuables like cash, mobile phones, jewellery, ATM cards.
Enanga said the taxi gangs, have been identified along sections that feed into the Kampala Northern bypass, from Busega to Namboole.
“Unsuspecting passengers board the taxis, after seeing other occupants in the taxi yet these are criminals disguised as passengers,” he explained, adding that the victims are attacked as the taxi starts moving and forced to surrender their cash, mobile phones, ATM cards, reveal their pin code numbers and other valuables.
Strongly condemning these acts of impunity by taxi gangs, Enanga said the danger with this criminal behaviour is that after robbing the victims, they push, throw or bundle them out of the moving taxi, onto the tarmac or side of the road.
To bring such hideous acts to an end, all Territorial Commanders, will continue to engage with stake holders in the taxi industry to address the concern.
The joint task teams from Kampala Metropolitan Police, are already gathering intelligence and good clues about these criminals, taxi gangs, that are hiring female accomplices to disguise as passengers and also using fake number plates that they remove after every mission.
As the operations continue, Enanga gave a few safety tips to passengers especially women who also stand risks of rape and serious injuries after boarding taxis operated by taxi gangs.
Safety tips to passengers:
– Always check the number plates if they are well fixed and appear genuine. Ensure you board your taxis from a gazetted stage.
– Also observe if the driver has a genuine badge, which is well displayed with names and stage.
– Avoid sitting in the back seat. At least get a seat where you are visible near the door or window. For instance, sitting in the middle puts you in danger, since you can not cry for help.
– Keep expensive items hidden in your bag, especially smart phone. Then keep your purse so close to you, preferably between your feet or chest.
– Never take a taxi alone, since it may be hard to defend yourself from the taxi gang already inside the taxi. At least board from a gazetted stage with other passengers.
– Always have emergency numbers to call especially if the taxi is heading in the wrong direction. Be courageous and make an alarm calling for help at the window.