The Directorate of Crime Intelligence (DCI), working alongside Katwe Police Division, has launched an operation to dismantle a gang of street muggers following a violent robbery targeting a Scottish national in Kampala.
The incident occurred over the weekend, with the victim whose identity remains undisclosed losing a mobile phone reportedly worth Shs 7 million during the mugging. In response, DCI initiated an urgent manhunt that led to the arrest of a suspect identified as Kirengwe.
According to police sources, CCTV footage obtained in coordination with Katwe Police Division tracked the suspect’s movements post-robbery, leading to his arrest in Nateete. He was transferred to Katwe police station for interrogation.
During questioning, Kirengwe confessed to the robbery and gave investigators key information about his gang.
“It is true I stole the Mzungu’s phone, but I was on duty,” he reportedly said. “I work with seven others. Ali is our top commander, deputized by Santosi. Some of my colleagues stay in Bulenga, others in Salama.”
Police immediately moved to track the rest of the gang. Their first stop was Kikaaya Zone in Bulenga, where local residents confirmed Kirengwe’s involvement in a gang that has long plagued the area.
“This man and his group have made our life very difficult,” said Stella, a resident. “They attack people as early as 7 pm. Yesterday, they attacked a young woman and robbed her. She was left for dead.” Despite Kirengwe’s cooperation, the rest of the gang had reportedly fled after word of his arrest spread. However, a boda boda rider came forward with a similar story, stating that he had been robbed by the same group just a day before.
“I thought they were passengers. One stopped me, then another joined. Within a minute, they were five. They robbed me of Shs 400,000 and threatened to cut me into pieces,” the rider recounted.
The operation continued to Salama, where Kirengwe said two gang members—Segawa and Kitto reside. Police found their rented room locked, but after forcing entry, recovered machetes and knives believed to be tools used in the robberies.
While the swift response to the attack on a foreigner has been praised, it has also stirred concern among local residents. Many questioned why similar urgency is rarely demonstrated when Ugandans report being robbed of phones, money, or laptops.
So, all the previous muggings in the area reported to police went unresolved until they mugged a Mzungu!! The only other time those thugs would be arrested is if they put on NUP attire or Besigye tshirts.
We surely do not have a police service, we have an armed militia in police uniforms.