The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Wakiso, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Directorate of Crime Intelligence has arrested three people suspected to be behind the threatening leaflets dropped in Katabi-Entebbe municipality in Wakiso district. Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga identifies the suspects as William Lubega, a mechanic, Asadu Kirigwajo, a former bodyguard to the Katabi town council LC III chairperson, and Ronald Barugu who has been on the wanted list of criminals behind several robberies in Wakiso district.
According to police, the suspects were picked up in connection to anonymous letters threatening to harm Kalema together with John Mary and Andrew Ssebowa, among others including journalists in Entebbe municipality.
Police said that those behind the letters asked their targeted victims to either pay Shillings 2 million or face their wrath.
Preliminary police findings show that the suspects have been using anonymous letters as a cover-up for their criminal activities in the past. It’s alleged that the suspects are part of the gangs behind a spate of motor-vehicle number plate thefts and house break-ins among others.
“Because of this wave of panga-wielding assailants in the Masaka greater region, they adopted the method and started threatening residents with anonymous letters. So, with the help of Kirigwajo Asadu, the former bodyguard of the mayor, they dropped letters at his home and threatened his life demanding money from him, after that, they continued dropping these anonymous letters to other people including journalists,” Enanga noted.
According to Enanga, the gang leader is one Taata Muzei who is currently on the run. Police also says that William Lubega has been the major supplier of housebreaking implements. Enanga says that detectives are still pursuing other suspects still at large.
Apart from Katabi in Entebbe, tensions are high in other areas including Masanafu and Nabingo, Nansana, Nsangi, Kawempe, Mukono, Jinja, Mityana municipalities because of the anonymous letters dropped by unidentified people threatening to harm residents.
“Whether these anonymous letters are real or hoax, we want to urge the intending perpetrators that there a number of appropriate lawful channels, through which they can use to express their opinions or even voice their displeasure, other than inducing panic and sending threats to the wider community, because they will be arrested,” said Enanga.
On Monday, police said that security agencies are to set up a team to track the source of the threatening leaflets dropped in various parts of the country. The joint team consists of forensic, ICT and investigation experts drawn from the Directorate of Forensic Science, Crime Intelligence, Criminal Investigations Directorate, Internal Security Organisation and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence.
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