Abducted family members detained at Special Investigations Unit

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Six family members who were reportedly abducted at the start of this week are being detained at police’s Special Investigations Unit in Kireka, over their relative’s alleged robberies in Kampala metropolitan area.

A case of missing persons was reported to Kireka police station by one Irene Mugenyi, after her 60-year-old father Pius Wandera, a resident of Kamuli zone A, was grabbed alongside five other family members under unclear circumstances. But details about the arrest had remained scanty over the last three days.

But Uganda Radio Network (URN) has been informed that the group was arrested by Crime Intelligence officers after failing to arrest Brian Wandera, one of Pius Wandera’s sons who was severally cited in robberies across the city. The latest incident against him was recorded at Nateete police station.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that the family members were arrested over their son’s robbery acts but declined to divulge details about the facility where they are being detained. He however added that the arrested persons are all in safe custody while helping the police by providing more information about Brian.

Mugenyi earlier told journalists that she was sure her parents are very innocent and demanded their release, although she could not dispel allegations about her brother.

It is alleged that Brian Wandera would use his father’s Super Custom to rob people mostly in the evening and early morning hours. On May 31, Brian, his accomplice only identified as Musasizi and two others still at large, allegedly blindfolded a businessman who was driving a Prado TX UAF 220M, bundled him in their Super Custom and drove him to Semawata road in Busega from where he was robbed of 49 million Shillings.

The quartet later drove back the businessman to his Prado and tied him inside. However, their Super Custom got stuck three metres away from the scene prompting them to abandon it until it was impounded by the police and the pursuit for its owners started.

Musasizi who has already been arrested by crime intelligence personnel has reportedly told the police that Brian Wandera is their group’s commander.

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URN