In short
The suspects were arrested and charged for waylaying a Kampala bound Jaguar Bus number UAN 981J at Kayabwe trading centre along Masaka-Kampala highway and killing a passenger on July 11th.
Dr. Steven Kasiima, the Commissioner of Traffic has defended the re-arrest of five suspected highway robbers after they were granted bail by court. The suspects are Isma Kafumba, Yasin Kajubi, Kamada Ssentayi, Kiwanuka Swaibu, Badru Kafuuma. The suspects were arrested and charged for waylaying a Kampala bound Jaguar Bus number UAN 981J at Kayabwe trading centre along Masaka-Kampala highway and killing a passenger on July 11th.
It is alleged that the masked gunmen used a carrier trucks to block the jaguar bus forcing the driver to stop. Siraji Mubiru, the bus driver says the thugs ordered him to drive towards Kituuntu swamp a few kilometers to Uganda Martyrs University-Nkozi off the main highway, where they robbed passengers. They also shot one Rwandan national only identified as Rukundo who refused to undress. The suspects were arrested later and arraigned before Hood Matovu, the Masaka grade two magistrate last week for aggravated robbery and released on bail.
The release of the suspects on bail drew protests from Masaka police. Police swung into action and picked up the suspects despite protests from their families. Dr. Steven Kasiima, the Commissioner Traffic says police is disappointed that the suspects were released by court. He says the release of suspected highway robbers during the Christmas season is risky as they are likely to stage more robberies. Dr. Kasiima also says he is surprised that the magistrate released the suspects yet they were also charged with murder, which is a capital offence.
// Cue in: “I don’t know…
Cue out: …other buses robbed.”//
Noah Sserunjoji, the Greater Masaka Region Police Spokesperson says police is planning to slap new charges against the suspect. The suspects are detained at Masaka central police station. Sserunjoji also says police have intensified patrols along all highways and community routes to curb armed highway robberies ahead of the Christmas Season. But some residents have asked police to enforce the IGP directive of deploying police officers in buses to curb highway robberies. Fiona Nanyomo, a resident of Masaka wonders why the directive has failed to take effect to protect passengers.
It is alleged that the masked gunmen used a carrier trucks to block the jaguar bus forcing the driver to stop. Siraji Mubiru, the bus driver says the thugs ordered him to drive towards Kituuntu swamp a few kilometers to Uganda Martyrs University-Nkozi off the main highway, where they robbed passengers. They also shot one Rwandan national only identified as Rukundo who refused to undress. The suspects were arrested later and arraigned before Hood Matovu, the Masaka grade two magistrate last week for aggravated robbery and released on bail.
The release of the suspects on bail drew protests from Masaka police. Police swung into action and picked up the suspects despite protests from their families. Dr. Steven Kasiima, the Commissioner Traffic says police is disappointed that the suspects were released by court. He says the release of suspected highway robbers during the Christmas season is risky as they are likely to stage more robberies. Dr. Kasiima also says he is surprised that the magistrate released the suspects yet they were also charged with murder, which is a capital offence.
// Cue in: “I don’t know…
Cue out: …other buses robbed.”//
Noah Sserunjoji, the Greater Masaka Region Police Spokesperson says police is planning to slap new charges against the suspect. The suspects are detained at Masaka central police station. Sserunjoji also says police have intensified patrols along all highways and community routes to curb armed highway robberies ahead of the Christmas Season. But some residents have asked police to enforce the IGP directive of deploying police officers in buses to curb highway robberies. Fiona Nanyomo, a resident of Masaka wonders why the directive has failed to take effect to protect passengers.
