Eighteen suspects have been arrested in connection with a brazen daylight robbery in the Nsambya-Kabalagala area, following the circulation of a viral video that showed thugs assaulting and robbing members of the public during last week’s NRM primaries.
The shocking footage, captured by a resident from a nearby building, showed a group of men violently robbing passersby in broad daylight. The video quickly went viral, sparking public outrage and prompting swift action from law enforcement.
Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, confirmed that investigators at Kabalagala police station immediately reviewed the footage and were able to identify several suspects involved in the incident.
Police say at least seven victims have come forward to report losing mobile phones, wallets, and cash during the robbery. CCTV footage from the area helped track the suspects’ movements, leading to the arrest of some individuals on the very day of the incident.
Following initial interrogations, police conducted an intelligence-led operation on Sunday that led to the arrest of 10 more suspects. The newly apprehended individuals have been identified as Phillip Were, Sharif Lubwama, Patrick Wasike, Brian Ngobi, Shafiq Mugisha, Rashida Sebisaba, Emmanuel Ochwo, Abdul Rakim Kakooza, Brian Ominga, and Meddy Katongole, alias Baros.
Owoyesigyire noted that the suspects have confessed to participating in the robbery and assaults during the NRM primaries. Their arrest comes less than a month after 30 other suspects were nabbed for terrorising residents in Kampala, coinciding with President Yoweri Museveni’s nomination at the NRM party headquarters in Nakasero.
He assured the public that police are committed to restoring safety and order. “Further intelligence-led operations are underway to apprehend additional suspects still at large. We continue to appeal to the public to provide any information that may assist in their capture,” Owoyesigyire added.