The joint security agencies in Kampala metropolitan in coordination with the flying squad unity executed an operation against a taxi criminal gang that has been terrorising female passengers in Kajjansi, where 4 suspects were apprehended by the security forces.
Speaking about the operation at their weekly security press briefing in Naguru, the police spokesperson Fred Enanga disclosed that the group has been mostly targeting women going to work very early in the morning, including those returning late from work.
He also narrated how the suspects disguised as taxi operators, luring the female victims into their taxi where they would strangle and suffocate them using polythene bags. “They would proceed to rob their bags, smart phones and other valuables and then dump the bodies of the victims, within Kajjansi Town Council.” He said
“The task team tracked down the first 3 suspects who included; Katongole Abbas, Matovu Ronald (both conductors) and Turyashemererwa Herbert.” He added
He also outlined that the fourth and key suspect, Nuwagaba Isaac aged 32, who is the driver of the taxi was arrested from Rwakimuli cell, Bukinda sub-county in Rukiga district.
He noted that upon arrest, a police search was conducted and tangible exhibits were recovered, including Techno Spark black phones, one with a line of Nassali Jenipher who was murdered, a Samsung phone with two sim cards, a red hand bag, yellow jumper, 6 mobile covers, cash Ugx 500,000 among other exhibits. “In addition, two taxi operating along Kampala – Entebbe allegedly used in the commission of the atrocities, under registration number UAU 737T and UAV 473Y, were impounded and parked at Kajjansi CPS.” He said
According to police findings about these tragic incidents;
The first incident of abduction and murder occurred on the 31.03.2024, where Awori Judith, a 25 year old, waitress at Royal Ark Restaurant in Lweza Cell, Ndejje in Kajjansi Town Council, was found murdered and her body dumped near St. Luke Church in Lweza. The victim was strangled to death from an unknown place and dumped.
Again on the 23.04.2024, another body of an unknown female adult, was found in a sack of Kawotto cell in Kajjansi Town Council. It was dumped by a male suspect, who was captured on camera, fleeing from the scene, after setting fire on the body of the death victim.
On the 29.04.2024, another report was made at Kajjansi Police Station, after another female adult, identified as Nassali Jenipher, was murdered by unknown persons and her body dumped at Bweya cell in Kajjansi town council. The deceased had signs of strangulation, around the neck area, face was blindfolded in a polythene bag.
And then on the 9.05.2024, another body of a female adult victim, that was unknown was found dumped along Jjanja – Lutembe beach road, at around 9am, by an unidentified motor vehicle.
On the 15.05.2024, report of disappearance of Nangobi Sandra was made at Kajjansi Police Division, by her mother Tendo Sulaina, after the victim left home at Kitende, “B” cell, Kajjansi town council at 5am, but did not reach her work place in Makindye. The victim’s phone was switched off and her whereabouts unknown.
Enanga however, noted that there is a substantial evidence linking the gang’s involvement in the disappearance and death of the victims.
“The modus operandi in relation to the deaths of the 5 women, is similar, and the motive was robbery. We have obtained DNA samples for comparison, with the samples picked from the bodies of the victims and from the two taxis.” Said the police spokesperson Enanga
He further cautioned citizens that leave their homes very early and those that return late from work to always be vigilant while boarding taxis which are not from the official gazetted stages, including those taxis that only have male occupants. “Moving in groups is also advised, because serial killers prey on lone and vulnerable victims.” Enanga said
