Police in Kayunga, has apprehended nine suspects linked to several crimes of aggravated robbery, attempted murder and related conspiracies in Namawanda village, Kangulumira Sub County, in Kayunga district.
The criminal gang has been enticing unsuspecting customers, with fake land deals and other fraudulent transactions.
They would enter into negotiations, but unfortunately turn against the unsuspecting buyers, and threaten to hack them with machetes, and rob them of their large sums of cash, during payment.
The suspects include; Nandutu Jennifer, the LCI Chairperson, Namakandwa village, Mulinde Juma, Samanya Samuel, Kiyingi Kasim, Walakira John, Bogere Adam, Wambuyi Ali, Ziwa Kenneth and Kalumira Adi.
According to the police preliminary facts, the primary business of the gang was aggravated robbery and extortion.
They had a strategy of encouraging clients into lucrative but fake land deals.
The police said in a statement that the members were aligned with the LCI Chairperson, and assigned roles as landlords, bibanja holders, neighbours (witnesses), brokers, others placed advertisements, and the armed group (with pangas).
“Following several complaints of robbery, the task team first arrested Wambuyi Ali, a gang member, who led them to his accomplices at their usual spot at Namakandwa village. A group of around 15 suspects was found and 8 of them rounded up, bringing the total number of suspects to 9,” police said.
Police explained that an additional suspects identified as Qnyango Nicholas, was fatally wounded when he tried to hack a member of the task team, using his panga.
The machete was recovered and his body transported to Mulago hospital for post-mortem analysis.
“The arrests made so far, indicate our resolve to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs that seek to profit through unlawful means. While there is still work to be done of tracking the other gang members, the Uganda Police Force, remains committed to protecting all Ugandans, victimised by such acts of criminality,” the force noted.
Police cautioned the public, particularly intending buyers of property to always conduct sufficient due diligence, on all properties and where possible, use cashless transactions.
“So far 5 people have been victimized by the notorious group and defrauded of cash amounting to shs100 million. Also recovered were fake US $11300.”