Police have arrested five members of the panga wielding gang terrorizing people in areas of Gayaza ward, Kasangati town council, in Wakiso district. The thugs were arrested after police received intelligence that thugs armed with pangas were planning to attack areas of Namugongo, in Kira Municipality, still in Wakiso district.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, identified the five suspects as Charles Kawooya 17, Akiram Sekubuge Akiram 23, Enock Mwesigwa Enock 32, Denis Sagara 27, and Ivan Mwanja 31.
Police have established that the ringleader of the group Richard Mwesige is on the run alongside his wife Racheal Nekesa 29, who has also been accused of participating in machete attacks.
“During the operation, the police recovered eight sharpened pangas, six pit axes, five spanners, two motorcycles Yamaha UEF 094E red in colour, and Bajaj Boxer UEK 221S also red in colour, and a box containing nails,” Owoyesigyire said.
Police said they were extending investigations into the homes of the suspects where searches will be conducted before they are arraigned in court. Police also hope to build on civilian intelligence to have Mwesige and his wife Nekesa arrested.
Kampala metropolitan area has had numerous machete attack incidents where many people have been left nursing injuries while others have lost their lives. Such incidents have happened in Kyengera, Bulenga, Buloba, Ggaba, Kira, Nansana, Namungoona, and Kawaala.