ISO arrests suspected leaders of panga-wielding gangs attacking factories

The Internal Security Organization has arrested three people suspected to be leaders of the gang of panga wielding men that have been attacking various factories and business premises.

In the past few weeks, a number of factories have been attacked especially in Kampala Metropolitan Area districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono and huge sums of money plus other valuables have been stolen.

Early this week, thugs armed with pangas raided Crane Roofings Limited in Mukono at around 3am and hacked the security guards before forcing their way into the factory.

Inside the factory they injured the owners before robbing them of Shs 30 million and 12 mobile phones.

On Friday, the Internal Security Organization carried out an operation in which three members of the gang were arrested in Nansana.

According to a source that preferred anonymity, ISO operatives tracked the assailants using one of the phones that they had stolen from the factory.

The thugs who were being trailed were found at a washing bay in Nansana as they had taken their vehicle a Toyota Mark II for cleaning.

Confess

One of the thugs identified as Deo Edgar told journalists that they were part of gang that terrorised various areas especially factories to rob them of money and other valuables.

“We have several groups we work with and have been together for many years. My job is driving my colleagues to and from the mission. I stay outside as my colleagues do the job of robbing either motorcycles, money and vehicles,” he said.

The thugs according to the confession on most occasions collude with guards who give them vital information about the mission before they strike.

He also said that these groups of thugs on many occasions communicate to avoid clashing in the same area.

“Before going to any area, you have to notify the area ‘commanders’ who are fellow thugs so that you don’t clash and they are in the know that you are coming,” Deo said.

He cited a number of robberies the group has been involved including an attack on a Chinese company in Kajjansi, Total petrol station in Nateete and a school in Budo where over 100 computers were stolen.

On checking one of the houses of the suspects, Shs50,000 notes amounting to over shs10 million (suspected to be part of the money stolen from the Indian factory), claw bars and other equipment were recovered by security.

According to one of the security operatives, most of the suspects terrorising the city are repeat offenders who have in the past been arrested but released on similar offences.

When contacted for a comment, ISO Director General, Col Kaka Bagyenda confirmed the arrest but said he could not divulge more information because he was not mandated to do so.

“You can contact the minister for Internal Affairs for more details. The good thing is that at least the core leaders of the gang were arrested,”Col.Kaka told this website in a phone interview on Saturday morning.

In the wake of increased attacks on factories, the deputy Inspector General of Police, Brig.Muzeeyi Sabiiti on Thursday warned owners of factories and other business premises to do a screening of their employees and the security guards they hire.

He insisted that on many occasions, the robbers collude with either employees or private security guards before carrying out the attacks.

Brig. Muzeeyi also asked factories to make better use of CCTV cameras to help security in case of any attacks.