The Police in East Kyoga region have arrested five (5) suspected criminal gang leaders in Soroti City.
The suspect are believed to have been behind the the increasing robberies within Soroti city.
Its alleged that on the 11/10/2022 at around 20:00hrs, the five suspects robbed 68 million Uganda shillings from Apolot Stella in Amen ‘A’ cell, Amen ward, Western division within Soroti city.
They allegedly robbed the victim through connivance of a boda boda rider Eligu Joseph who shot Apolot Stella in the stomach when she resisted to pick the bag containing they money before taking off with the bag which the victim had picked from her husband one Elobu Stephen who operates a produce business in Soroti Town.
The suspects include; Opolon Vincent male adult aged 68 years, Kato Ronald male adult aged 45 years, Opolon Isaac male adult aged 22 years, Eyamu Peter male adult aged 44 years, and Opali Justine who were arrested from Kigandani.
Three suspects other suspects that evaded arrest included; one Osege, Ocheng Jude and the other only identified as Charles, said Oscar Gregg Agecca the Police Spokesperson East Kyoga.
Agecca notes that, following these robberies the police with other security agencies recovered AK 47 SMG riffle number AK47-31048 that had been thrown outside as the suspects tried to evade arrest.
Others recovered included; a magazine containing 21 rounds of live ammunitions and 14 live ammunitions tied with green and yellow piece of cloth.
Background
Its alleged that this gang and group of individuals are behind a series of robberies in the region. For example a case of aggravated robbery reported at west division police station vide SD Ref: 31/06/06/2022 where business lady was robbed sums of about six million shillings (6,000,000/- ), ignition key for a Bajaj motorcycle and five mobile phones that occurred on the 30/6/2022 at about 07:59PM at Maroon quarters within Soroti City and a case of aggravated robbery of about fifteen million shillings (15 million shs) Opejo Vigila a business man that occurred on the 22/4/2022 at about 07:30PM at Kichinjaji East cell Kichinjaji ward, within Soroti City East division vide Soroti CPS SD 74/22/04/2022, police records indicate.
“Most of the suspects arrested are hardened criminals that include a convict who view the crime of robbery as legitimate source of income. We strongly believe the arrests of these hardcore criminals will help restore some peace and sanity in the region,” said Agecca.
“We pledge to continue with intelligence led operations against violent armed gangs and its criminal network, who pose serious threats of safety and security in respective communities.”
He added that, “We further appeal to persons who Carry on cash businesses and others resident within East Kyoga to be mindful of their security. This shall include not carrying or traveling with large sums of cash when moving about or when it’s already dark.”