Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Seven suspects involved in violent robbery through the streets of Kampala and Wakiso districts have been arraigned before court, and subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison.
The thugs, as opposed to the common muggers who are known to wielding pangas, choke or strangle their victims, or clobbering their targets on the head using pavers before robbing them, new breed of gangsters give their victims a flying kick on the face, sending them to the ground helplessly.
The accused, identified as Sharif Tagaba (alias Musoga), 19; Nuru Rweyomam (alias MV.TZ), 14; Eric Mukisa (alias Musota), 17; Mohammed Kabuye (alias Abiriga), 21; Peter Ssenyonjo (alias Kakima), 14; Victor Arinda, 22; and Joram Kabito (alias Julius), appeared on Friday 31, May 2024 afternoon before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi. They faced charges of aggravated robbery, in violation of sections 285 and 286(2) of the Penal Code Act.
The prosecution informed the court that on May 22, 2024, the group, along with others still at large, robbed Tomson Bainomugisha on Ben Kiwanuka Street. The stolen items included a black bag containing Shs 450,000.
Additionally, the suspects allegedly stole an Itel phone, green container, smearing oil, academic documents, and other assorted items valued at Shs 2 million from the victim, and inflicted injuries on him.
Given the capital nature of the charges, the suspects were not permitted to enter a plea, as the case can only be tried by the High Court.
Chief Magistrate Kayizzi remanded the group to Luzira Prison until June 18, 2024, when the case will be mentioned again.
One thug was caught on video trailing his target – a Mozambican national – at around 8pm in the Munyonyo, Wava Close area of Kampala.
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In the video, the gangster meticulously tracks his victim along a moderately busy road, waiting for the right moment. When the traffic clears, and the coast is clear, he suddenly delivers a flying kick to the man’s face, knocking him to the ground unconscious.
He then proceeds to rob the foreigner at his own pace before eventually escaping the scene.
In another video, a man is seen kicking a woman in the face as she walks down the street holding a bag. As the woman falls to the ground, the thug and his accomplice approach and steal her belongings while another woman, who was walking beside the victim, flees the scene.
Similar violent robberies have been reported in various areas across the country, prompting the police to swing to action.
Ugandans, particularly those living in Kampala and its suburbs, are now gripped by constant fear and paranoia due to the resurgence of criminal gangs that brazenly attack their victims even in public view.
