Uganda Police says it burst a gang of notorious thugs who have been operating in Kisekka Market and robbing unsuspecting motorists.
The gang known as “Banzege group” has for long terrorized innocent people from Kisekka Market, especially motorists who take vehicles for repair.
Donning dirty overalls, their trick was to immediately dismantle the vehicle brought for repair (regardless of the extent of the problem) and inflate the cost of repair by slapping an exhorbitant bill to their victim. If the customer gives in and pays, its their day; if you resist, you are violently attacked and robbed clean.
According to police, the group is led by one Mpalanyi Ismael alias Atilibo alias Biba, Kiyimba Ronald alias Kasekende, Waswa Moses alias Mudinka, Sembogo Ronald and Bagalana Godfrey.
On the 12th of June 2022, one Byarugaba Justus was allegedly robbed by a group of thugs using violence that occasioned grievous bodily harm on the victim. A case of Aggravated Robbery was subsequently registered at Central Police Station Kampala under reference Vide CRB 987/22.
The robbery happened when Byarugaba who we have established works with the Judiciary, went to Kiseka Market on the fateful day to repair his car which had a small mechanical problem with its side mirror. Unfortunately he was attacked by thugs from Banzege Group who dismantled his motor vehicle and started demanding that he pays them over 10 million shillings.
When he refused to pay the money, he was beaten using spanners and even robbed of his 50,000 (fifty thousand shillings only). Byarugaba managed to run away from the premises and went to police who helped remove his car from the scene. The suspects had already fled.
An intelligence led operation was conducted that led to the arrest of Waswa Moses alias Mundika on the 5th of July. He was later produced at Buganda Road court on charges of Aggravated Robbery and then committed to the High court on the 15th of November 2022.
On the 22nd of December 2022 one Kiyimba Ronald alias kasekende was also produced at Buganda road court on the same charges.
On the same day, the leader of this notorious group (Mpalanyi Ismael alias Atilibo alias Biba) was finally arrested together with Bagalana Godfrey and Sembogo Ronald. The three are still in custody pending court on charges of Aggrevated Robbery.
In a press statement on Wednesday, the Deputy Police spokesperson ACP. Nabakka Claire said the arrested group leaders have been charged and will appear before court on charges of Aggravated Robbery c/s 285/286 of the PCA.
She also noted that as much as this group has caused alot of public outcry, few people ever reported them at the police, calling on the general public to continue with the vigilance and report any such incidents.
Police says the arrest of these thugs has brought some sanity in kiseka market.
“We would like to thank our teams on ground who have tirelessly pursued this case up to-date” Nabakka stated.