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.
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.
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.
