Deputy Police Spokesperson for Kampala, Luke Owoyesigyire, said some suspects were arrested based on intelligence revealed by covert security personnel and volunteers from the public.
At least 64
suspected thieves and street muggers captured on Closed Circuit Television – CCTV
cameras in the last one week have been arrested in today’s operations around Kampala.
The Police operation that comprised
of Field Force Unit – FFU and Local Defence Unit –LDU raided the hideouts at Nakivubo water channel and arrested most of the thieves. Most of the suspects had their images placed in CCTV
control system for easy sight and identification.
The operations
in which the suspects were nabbed with stolen items and breaking implements was
commanded by Assistant Superintendent of Police – ASP Ivan Nduhura, who is also
the Kampala Central operations commander.
CCTV cameras
captured the suspects in the last seven days snatching phones, wallets and pick pocketing
tens of thousands that had flocked the Central Business District – CBD to shop
for Christmas or board vehicles to travel upcountry.
Deputy Police
Spokesperson for Kampala, Luke Owoyesigyire said some suspects were arrested
based on intelligence revealed by covert security personnel and volunteers from
the public. He said the suspects after victimizing unsuspecting members of the
public rush and hide in Nakivubo channel which they presume as a safe place
since its deep and has some dark spots.
//cue in “central
police station had...
Cue out “…today
we have arrested sixty-four.”//
Some of the
suspects were captured vandalising motor vehicles parked on Kampala streets as
their owners attended to their businesses or were doing shopping. In some
cases, CCTV captured the suspects mugging people on streets forcefully taking
their valuables.
The arrest of
64 suspects brings the number to 82 since last Friday as joint security teams
launched a hunt for criminals in a bid to ensure Kampala residents go through
the festive season peacefully.
//cue in “operations
zino ziri…
Cue out “…nkaaga
mu bana bakwatidwa.”//
Inspector General
of Police, John Martins Okoth Ochola in his Christmas message delivered by
deputy police spokesperson, Polly Namaye, asked the public to be very careful
of opportunistic criminals and work with Police in an effort to have a peaceful festive season.
//cue in “as
we ready ourselves…
Cue out “…any
other crimes.”//
Traders in
Kisenyi, Owino have often volunteered to reveal information regarding the thugs
that hide in Nakivubo channel after committing crimes. Nevertheless, the
whistle blowers have sometimes complained that the thugs work with some police
officers something that makes them a target by criminals.
Joseph Kato is currently a Master's candidate at Makerere University. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Kampala International University, a Diploma in Journalism and he's also a graduate in Guidance and Counseling.
