MUKONO: The Directorate of Crime Intelligence in coordination with Mukono Crime Intelligence and Mbale Territorial Police have carried out an intelligence led operation, that led to the arrest of two prime suspects who are part of a car theft syndicate.
The syndicate is said to be actively involved in the theft and robbery of motor vehicles, from parking lots, streets, functions like funerals and parties, places of worship, bars and clubs.
Kicking-off with investigations on July 5, 2022, from Nkonge in Mukono following the theft of motor vehicle registration number UAP 778G, the task team led an operation that led to the arrest of Nsubuga Hassan Mukwaya, who then aided in the arrest of Alex Musisi alias Mark Butyampa, of Bulijjo village, Kiyunga Parish, Kyampisi sub-county in Mukono district.
CP Enanga Fred, the Police Spokesperson said the suspected stolen motor vehicle, was recovered from Wobulenzi with a forged number plate UAM933G, after the original number plate was removed.
It was further established that the criminal gang was behind most motor vehicle thefts and robberies in Kampala, Mukono, Luwero and other parts of the country.
“They would change the original plates with cloned number plates ( a process they call baptizing) and sell the stolen cars to Kisule Juma alias Jajja Mbale alias Muwada Juma alias Walusimbi Juma alias Wambedde,” Police Spokesperson Enanga revealed.
Noting further, he also said, “the operation was expanded to Mbale with the help of the two suspects and led to the recovery of 16 motor vehicle in total, that are suspected stolen, from different parts of the country.”
The recovered vehicles include; Toyota Noah formerly with registration number UAP 778G, changed to UAM933G, Toyota Spacio – UAX 578M, RAV 4 – UAJ635G, Subaru UAG 242Z, Premio – UAU 911C, Premio – UAQ 742D, Noah – UAR 509K, Ipsum – UAN 794Z, Isuzu Tipper 2 ton – UBA 784U, Toyota Passo – UBG 044G, Premio – UAU 406A, Ipsum – UAP 772D, Ipsum – UAP 735B, Premio – UAT 287H, Toyota Starlet – UAN 223Y, Toyota Regius – UAN 706R, and Toyota Pickup – UAH 436J.
Enanga went on to call upon persons whose motor vehicles were stolen and fall in the listed categories to come and view them at the Directorate of Crime Intelligence, in Bukoto.
The task team is arranging to submit the engine numbers, chassis numbers and recovered number plates to URA for further verification and details of ownership.
The arrest of the two prime suspects demonstrates Police’s resolve and commitment to fight car theft in the country.
A serious manhunt for the other accomplices is still ongoing and Enanga has issued a very serious warning to proprietors and garages, that are actively involved in the buying of number plates of accident vehicles that are written off or number plates from car-shop dealers, and selling them to criminal gangs.