By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The Uganda Police Force Deputy IGP, Paul Lokech has noted that the Joint Security Agencies have raised the reward for any information leading to the arrest of its Most Wanted Person, one Sheikh Abu Ubaida Badir Diin Bukenya, who is said to be the overall coordinator of domestic terror cells including the previous shooting of Gen Katumba Wamala, from Ugx. 5m to Ugx. 20m.
According to Lokech, they are actively tracking down the remaining group of assailants highly connected to the targeted attacks, which led to the double murder of Nantongo Brenda, Kayondo Haruna and the attempted murder of General Edward Katumba Wamala and his bodyguard, Sgt Khalid Kuboit on the 1 June 2021.
The Police boss still notes, ”We have widely shared his photos and put out a reward of Ugx 20M for anyone with credible information that can lead to his arrest. my last press briefing of 2.07.2021, we assured the country, that we are actively tracking down the remaining group of assailants, highly connected to the targeted attacks, which led to the double murder of Nantongo Brenda, Kayondo Haruna and the attempted murder of General Edward Katumba Wamala and his bodyguard, Sgt Khalid Kuboit on the 1/06/2021.”
Lokech further says that they have also arrested Wampa Huzaifa alias Kanaabe, a 30-year-old, former member of Boda Boda 2010, who is said to be the second shooter being ridden by Walusimbi Kamada alias Mudinka alias Ogema.
”He was tracked down and arrested on the 12.07.2021 from his hide-out in Kikomeko village, near Kalule Trading Centre, Nakatonya Parish, Nyimbwa Subcounty, in Luwero district. An immediate thorough search was conducted at his known premises, and the motorcycle Bajaj Boxer, red in colour registration number UEO 375D that was used during the attack was recovered. Other relevant exhibits recovered include the hood that he used to cover his head, an assortment of jackets, gloves, warm suits, and another motorcycle, Bajaj red in colour, registration number UDH 888V that was used in the surveillance of their targets,” says police statement.
He adds, ”I wish to add that during the interrogation of “Kanaabe,” he admitted to participating in a series of planned and highly sophisticated murders and aggravated robberies within the country that led to the murder of 14 persons, the attempted murder of 3 people and 3 major aggravated robberies.”
Among the murder cases police has in notes include; the Murder of Major Muhammad Kiguundu and his bodyguard Sgt. Stephen Mukasa in 2016; the late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his bodyguard Cpl. Erau Kenneth and the driver Cpl. Godfrey Mambewa in 2017; the double murder of No.560 SPC Mubiru Hussein and No. 169 SPC Kalungi Moses, and the attempted murder of Hakiza Evarest at Denovo Bakery, Kalerwe; the murder of Frank Anania, Bugembe Amim, Atukuru Jimmy and Abaho Frank at Nansana Cheap Hardware Stores, the murder of Okoth Button at City Supermarket, Mpererwe, and the most recent murder of Nantongo Brenda and Kayondo Haruna, and the attempted assassination of General Edward Katumba Wamala and his bodyguard Sgt Khalid Kuboit.
According to Police, Kanaabe further admitted that his terror group was behind aggravated robberies including; Denovo Bakery in Kalerwe where they robbed Ugx 33m, in 2017; Nansana Cheap Stores where they allegedly robbed Ugx 300m, City Supermarket at Mpererwe where they robbed Ugx 2.2m and an additional 4.5m from a mobile money attendant.
”The public should know that we are dealing with a very deadly and militant group. In the counter-terror operations that we conducted, most of the suspects were violent and confrontational, to the raids made on their hide-outs and during the recovery of the killer weapons, i.e. the two AK47 guns and a pistol and other relevant exhibits, from Nansana, Katooke, Matugga, Maganjo, Namuwongo and Kalule-Bombo. Two of our officers who were seriously injured are still nursing wounds,” adds police.
