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UPDF’s Special Investigation Bureau Tasked to Probe Robbery Roadblocks

According to Maj. Kabona, the SIB team is also investigating the incident where police arrested its soldiers attached to Namusera military detach on allegations of conducting a night robbery at Namusera swamp.
Courtsey image of Maj Charles Kabona

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The Uganda People’s Defence Forces – UPDF has tasked its Special Investigations Bureau (SIB) to probe incidents of night robbery roadblocks by armed men often dressed in military uniform.

Since June 2022, there have public outcry over robbery roadblocks mounted by men in army uniforms and holdings rifles.

Maj. Charles Kabona, the UPDF First Division spokesperson said SIB has been tasked to conduct parallel investigations to establish the truth behind the robbery incidents where the culprits have been cited to be soldiers.

According to Maj. Kabona, the SIB team is also investigating the incident where Police arrested its soldiers attached to Namusera military detach on allegations of conducting a night robbery at Namusera swamp.

“Whenever any of our personnel is suspected to be involved in crime, we must investigate. Before someone appears in court, we must have substantive evidence. After getting the substantive evidence, they will appear in court,” says Maj. Kabona.

The incidents of robbery roadblocks by men donning military uniform, wielding automated rifles and light machine guns have been reported on roads such Mityana-Kassanda, Buloba trading centre, Kyaliwajjala-Namugongo, Kyengera –Maya on Masaka highway, Kawanda and Matugga all located on Bombo road.

Maj. Kabona said with coordination with Police, as UPDF they must also conduct their own investigations because the culprits will have to appear in army court. He added that the only way a successful prosecution can be achieved in army court is through SIB tabling more evidence.

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Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, had earlier identified six soldiers who have been arrested in connection to night military robbery roadblocks. These include; Said Ayume, Mathew Aguma, Irikar Adiya, Siraje Luyima, Julius Oroboro and Steven Tambara.

Enanga explained that the six soldiers had staged a night armed robbery roadblock at the Kyoga swamp, Namusera parish, Wakiso sub-country, in Wakiso district.

Their arrest followed a call made by businessman George Turahabwa who was robbed unspecified amount of money. Turahabwa quickly alerted Wakiso policing division which arrived with sniffer dogs that moved up Namusera army detach.