18 Suspected Criminals Arrested in Hoima City

Hoima Central Police Station is holding 18 suspected criminals who were rounded up during an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Uganda Police and Uganda People Defence Forces-UPDF soldiers last night.

The operation followed complaints from residents, especially the business community in the areas of Lusaka, Bujumbura, Kiryatete and Kiganda, all suburbs of Hoima city about rampant thefts and attacks by the suspected criminals in several parts of the city.  

The arrested suspects include 12 males and six females. They have been identified as Abdulrahman 20, Chris Twejukye 36, Safian Kusiima, 23, Benard Alinaitwe 20, Micheal Ategeka 18,  Jonan Abas 20, Gerald Abigaba 25, Barakati Kajura 22, Justus Ahumuza 22, and Godfrey Tumwesigye 22.

The others are Shahadu Ssemwogerere 19, Moreen Kirungi 23, Joan Ainembabazi 23, Harriet Namuli 19, Monica Nabasa 20, Shakira Tuhaise 21, Catherine Atuhairwe 23, and Emmanuel Mugabi 30.

The Albertine Region Police Spokesperson Julius Hakiza told URN that the police have registered numerous complaints about increased attacks on motorists, pedestrians and residents by unknown thugs. He added that some of the suspects were found in groups smoking Marijuana in the wee hours of the night while others were found hiding in uncompleted structures within the city.

Hakiza says the criminals are currently undergoing screening before they are arraigned before the court to be charged accordingly. According to Hakiza, charges of having narcotics have already been preferred against some of the suspects. 

Juliet Karungi, a resident of Hoima city says more operations need to be sanctioned by police and other security agencies following the escalating cases of thefts and house break-ins in the area.

Christopher Kugonza, a resident of Bujumbura East in Hoima East division says thugs have raided the area tasking the police to conduct more patrols.