Police arrests UPDF soldier in foiled robbery at warehouse

A UPDF soldier has been arrested by police after trying to rob computers from warehouse belonging to Mitsumi Computer Garage Limited in the city centre, the Nile Post has learnt.

In a statement released by the deputy army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, the incident happened at Dewinton drive opposite Spear House when two UPDF soldiers and others came disguising as URA enforcement officers.

“The incident involved two UPDF vehicles; a van and a Prado all driven by two UPDF soldiers. They impounded and loaded computers on the van alleging that the company had failed to pay taxes,”Akiiki said.

He added that recovered at the scene were Uganda Revenue Authority seals and documents related to tax collection.

The deputy army spokesperson said that one driver identified as CPL Isoke was arrested and in police custody whereas his colleague is on the run.

Also on the run, according to the army are three suspects purportedly working with the tax collection body who had made it a routine to extort money from various business premises.

“We are working together with URA, police and owners of the warehouse to arrest the other remaining culprits on the run,” Akiiki said.

URA distances self

Meanwhile, tax body Uganda Revenue Authority has dismissed as baseless the claims by the army that some of its employees were involved in the foiled robbery.

In a statement by Ian Rumanyika, the acting Assistant Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs, said none of their staff was involved in the said incident.

“We want to categorically state that none of our staff was involved in the incident. The fraudsters were driving UPDF vehicles and URA does not use UPDF vehicles in its operations. Additionally, URA staff put on uniform and carry identification cards while in field,”Rumanyika said in a statement.

“The unsubstantiated claims are completely false and defamatory. We call upon the public to be vigilant and report any extortionists who want to bring the image of the authority to disrepute.”

In the past few days, a number of UPDF soldiers have been involved in incidents that have tarnished the image of the army.

The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen.David Muhoozi has previously said that despite a few incidents of indiscipline by some of their officers, the UPDF is still on the right track.

“Though there are some mistakes, it is not our standard operating procedure. What happened was a one off and you can’t judge us by a few incidents,”Gen.Muhoozi told the Nile Post on Wednesday afternoon.