Police arrest leaders of criminal gangs in Jinja city

Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kiira region police are holding eight suspected ring leaders of criminal gangs that have been terrorizing Jinja city residents. Police picked up the suspects from the suburbs of Bugembe, Mafubira, Masese and Mpumudde in operations conducted on Wednesday night.

According to police, the suspects are the ring leaders of criminal gangs operating on roundabouts and major roads connecting to the central business district of Jinja city. They reportedly major in phone snatching, distribution of counterfeit currency and theft of household items like mattresses and other home appliances.

The suspects who are being detained at Kiira central police station include; Umar Sande, Matia Kadam, Twahir Kanakulya, Sam Kasadha, Junior Kasule, Ashiraf Kalema, Robert Ssenyonga and their overall leader, Suleiman Magezi alias Eastern giant.

Detectives searched the respective homes of the suspects where they recovered 25 mobile phones, 42 old simcards and counter currency Shillings 50,000 notes amounting to about Shillings 950,000 that was being stored in the same bag alongside Shillings 730,000 of genuine currency.

Shamir Byakika, a victim says that the suspects stole his household items in his absentia. “They came with a truck over the weekend and loaded all my household items, after convincing my landlord how I had resolved to relocate to another location,” he said.

Kiira region’s police commander Dauda Hiriga says that they recovered a gun of AK47 series early this year which has been since recorded among the exhibits, after the group’s overall leader Magezi confessed that it was one of the weapons which eased their craft of robbing valuables from unsuspecting civilians.

Hiriga adds that the suspects will be charged with four counts of aggravated robbery, theft and burglary, being in possession of counterfeit notes and being in possession of the stolen property.

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