Police in collaboration with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) have recovered yet another fuel tanker that was robbed at gun point along Jinja-Iganga highway.
The tanker with tractor head registration number UBH 904U and trailer registration number UAT 093W, was highjacked from Wandhago village in Magamaga on October 23, 2023 at around 9pm by unknown assailants driving in a Toyota Wish car.
It was loaded with 34.000 litres of diesel from Kenya and it was heading to Fortpotal from Kenya.
This tanker was driven by a one Douglas Odyek and Emanuel Okello his turn man both whose personal belongings were were also robbed.
Police said that when they got information about this robbery, they deployed the Flying Squad Unit which tracked down the trailer and recovered it at Mailo Mbili Jinja North Division.
“It was found when the fuel had been offloaded at JAFRA fuel station in Kubiri Kamuli road. The fuel totaling 33,500 litres of diesel was recovered,” police spokesperson Fred Enanga said in a statement.
He said that so far two suspects have been arrested. These include Henry Ashaba, the manager, JAFRA petrol station and Anita Katono, a pump attendant who both allegedly participated in the theft of fuel.
However, the FSU has also arrested more suspects (names withheld) in connection to such and also recovered vehicle number plates, military like digital uniforms, reflector jackets and four caps.
This is the second incident to be registered this month of highway robbers targeting fuel tankers along the major transport corridor from Kenya border.
Last week, another fuel tanker loaded with 34 tones of Kerosene was intercepted at Bukoyo in Iganga but it was recovered intact from Jinja city when robbers failed to break its seals.
The police spox Enanga has however reassured all transporters of goods along the Mbale-Iganga – Kampala highway that efforts are in place to crack the entire criminal gang that is terrorising them.
“The arrest of the suspects demonstrates our commitment and resolve to rid the transport sector of criminality,” he said
