A criminal gang behind up to 12 attacks on Ugandan schools has been busted following the arrest of suspects reportedly commanded by a Kenyan national. With Uganda Police Force (UPF) registering 12 cases of attacks on schools, the Flying Squad Unit embarked on a mission to hunt down the criminals behind these attacks.
The result of this intelligence-led investigation has been the arrest of 26 suspects, confessions and exposure of the dark secrets that have been used by these criminals.
The group of 26 suspects are said to have been led by Yusuf Babu, a Kenyan national. Babu is said to be the overall criminal gang commander.
Flying Squad operatives have also established that Babu’s gang operates in clusters of 3-7 people. Babu deploys these for various missions. The organized gang uses motorcycles and motor vehicles for evacuation purposes and to slip away from police.
Besides Babu, the other notorious criminal gang members are: Emma Ssetenda, Paul Mayengo Musinguzi aka Mulefu and Reagan Mawejje.
According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the four – Babu, Ssetenda, Mayengo and Mawejje – have confessed that they participated in the attacks and robberies at UMEA Primary School in Kyebando – Nansana, Bodoko Primary School at Kayunga in Wakiso and Kyadondo Islamic Secondary School, Matugga.
It should be remembered that during the February 09 2023 attack at Kyadondo Islamic Secondary School, the suspects killed an askari named Solomon Mujumbi. They also left John Asingya with critical injuries and took off with Shs111m.
Enanga also said the group masterminded the attack and robbery at St Joseph’s Junior Seminary, Nswanjere, where they stole the communion cup or ciborium, robbed Shs1.4m, two laptops and mobile phones from the priests.
The police publicist has confirmed that the force’s task teams have so far recovered three motor vehicles used to facilitate the gang’s criminal operations, an HP printer, three laptop bags, black face masks, as well as a number of house breaking implements.
Enanga saluted the communities for cooperating with police. He also sent a clear warning to criminals, saying that police would not rest until they have all been smashed.
“We have now clocked 14 days without any new attacks on schools. The recoveries and arrests demonstrates our resolve to disrupt and dismantle rackets behind attacks on schools. We also thank all members of the task team, who participated in the operation and all persons who volunteered information that led to the arrests and recoveries,” said Enanga. “…we urge all school administrators and proprietors to periodically review and upgrade their security and safety measures.”
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