Two teenagers have been detained by police in connection with the theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle number plates in the Kigezi region. The suspects are Anthony Arinaitwe, 18, a resident of Mukyirwa Village in Kyangara, and Brian Mugisa, 19, a resident of Ryangushya Village, Western Division, Ntungamo District.
Police reported that multiple theft cases involving number plates were reported by residents in Kabale, Rukiga, and Rukungiri districts between June 13 and July 23, 2024. Following an investigation, Arinaitwe and Mugisa were arrested on Friday after their activities were traced. During interrogation, they confessed to targeting vehicles at night to remove number plates, which they then hid in the bush.
They also revealed that they would leave telephone numbers for victims to call, demanding ransoms ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 shillings to return the stolen plates. Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, stated that four cases were reported at Rukungiri Police Station, nine at Kabale Police Station, and nine at Rukiga Police Station. Maate confirmed that the suspects admitted to possessing the stolen number plates and were also found with nine additional plates from unreported cases.
The suspects led police to the bush where many of the stolen number plates were recovered. They were also found with leaflets containing phone numbers of victims they planned to contact for ransom and several SIM cards. Maate indicated that the suspects will be brought to court to face charges once the investigation is complete.