A two months hunt for Shaban Nuwagaba, the alleged commander of Nsangi machete gang has ended after he was nabbed with the help of covert crime intelligence officers. Nuwagaba, is alleged to have been deploying groups that have terrorised areas of Namagoma, Kyambazi, Maya, and Kasenge where at least one person was killed and scores left nursing machete wounds.
Upon being arrested, Nuwagaba, confessed to have not only deployed his gang members but he personally participated in a series of aggravated robberies using machetes, hammers, clubs and iron bars. “I recent attacked a woman at Manja cell, and I robbed her of three million shillings. I also took her mobile phone. One of the people we attacked in September died on the roadside. We have left many fighting for their life especially those who hesitate to surrender items,” Nuwagaba said.
Detectives and crime intelligence police personnel who have arrested Nuwagaba believe his gang members could be responsible for all the murders and robberies registered in Nsangi and its neighbourhoods.
Nsangi, and Kyengera have in the recent weeks recorded a spike in machete attacks which have left four killed while many survived with injuries. The crime spates last week forced police’s director of operations AIGP Frank Mwesigwa to visit Nsangi and Kyengera areas where he held meetings with police commanders ranging from OCs, DPCs and RPC.
Mwesigwa urged the communities to be the first line of intelligence and by secretly revealing any information about wrong elements. The leaders were also cautioned against concealing criminal elements because the criminals are the youth who have grown up in these areas.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, said Nuwagaba and his group have traders who deal in electronics and are always ready to buy the robbed. Owoyesigyire warned such traders that once they are arrested they will be prosecuted with offences similar to the culprits.
“There are incidents where thugs hit people with pavers and they leave them with serious injuries. Some of these victims eventually die. If someone who was hit with a paver dies, you the buyer of robbed property you will also be charged with murder,” Owoyesigyire warned.
Meanwhile, police operations in various parts of greater Kampala have led to the arrest of 136 suspects. Mukono police arrested the biggest number of suspects standing at 61, Kira arrested three suspects, Jinja road arrested 16, and Old Kampala arrested 48.
In order to reduce criminality as the festive season draws nearer, Kampala Metropolitan police commander, Richard Echega and has embarked on community sensitisation programmes. Echega is emphasizing community vigilance, and working with police to minimise criminality.