Police in Mukono are holding a man accused of vandalising railway infrastructure after he was found ferrying suspected stolen materials on a motorcycle late at night.
The suspect, identified as Sharif Kirunda, a boda boda rider, was intercepted by residents of Ngandu Village around 10 p.m. during a community patrol.
He was allegedly caught with two sacks filled with railway fasteners, believed to have been dismantled from a nearby train track.
According to Ibrahim Kitenda, the Ngandu Cell chairperson, Kirunda was riding a Spiro motorcycle, registration number UMA 329EQ, in the company of another man who managed to escape.
“When we apprehended him, we found a hammer which we believe was used to detach the railway parts,” Kitenda said.
Speaking to Nile Post at Wantoni Police Post, where he is being detained, Kirunda denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had merely been hired to transport the items.
“I was only doing my job as a boda boda rider,” he said, but declined to name the person who hired him or reveal the destination of the materials.
Residents said crime, including assaults and house break-ins, has been on the rise in the area, prompting the community to start night patrols.
Kitenda confirmed that Kirunda was found hiding in an unfinished house before being handed over to police.
“We found a motorcycle loaded with fasteners near the building. We shall not tolerate vandalism in our village,” he stated.
Ronald Wamala, the area councillor, commended residents for their vigilance, noting that recent attacks, such as an assault on the director of Jesjonny Primary School, had raised alarm.
He urged police to increase manpower as the festive season approaches.
By press time, police had not yet issued an official statement. The suspect remains in custody at Wantoni Police Post as investigations continue.
