By Hanning Mbabazi
Kampala: Police in Kampala is investigating over 150 cases of motorcycle theft registered over the last one month in June 2019.
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga in a press briefing on Monday 15 July, said intelligence tips raided garages, motorcycle shops and spare parts outlets in Nateete, Katwe and Nalukolongo, in operations that led to the recovery of 45 motorcycles and the arrest of 13 suspects.
Enanga added that an additional 55 of the motorcycles under investigation had been dismantled into spare parts, with only number plates recoverable, 25 were found in frames while 25 others had only the engines remaining.
“Seven out of 13 suspects were residents of Kampala, two suspects from Mityana District were transferred to where these motocycles were stolen, two from Kireka in Wakiso District, three from Mukono District and one from Fort portal in Kabalore District.
One Rogers Semambo was identified as the ringleader of the racket that has mugged, strangled or hit Boda-boda riders with hammers, iron bars and other blunt objects,” Enanga added.
Meanwhile, Enanga said, police are on the hunt for 12 traders who have been accused of trading in stolen motorcycle spare parts. The 12 have reportedly fled their shops in Katwe, Ndeeba, Nateete and Nalukolongo.
At least 13 Boda-boda riders have been killed by thugs since January majorly in Kampala and its neighbouring districts such Wakiso and Mukono.
