The suspects, Anthony Arinaitwe (18), a resident of Mukyirwa Kyangara in Ntungamo municipality, and Brian Mugisa (19), a resident of Ryangushya cell, Western division in Ntungamo municipality, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation in the districts of Kabale, Rukungiri, and Rukiga.
This operation followed several reports of stolen motor vehicle number plates.
ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi region Police spokesperson, stated that the suspects had been involved in this illegal activity from June 13, 2024, until their arrest on July 23, 2024. He says that they began their activities in Rukungiri, stealing the following number plates: UAU539Y belonging to Kenneth Turyazayo at Butagasa cell, UBF927C belonging to Asaph Byamugisha at Bwoma cell, UBQ452P belonging to Benon Arinaitwe at Kiyaga cell, and UAK766H belonging to Twongyeirwe Eriabu at Kiyaga cell.
In Kabale, they stole the following number plates: UBK512Z belonging to Agaba Moses at Nyabikoni, UAW886D belonging to Alison Byaruhanga at Kijuguta, UEP665T belonging to Gerald Nyombi at Mwanjari, UBK855M belonging to Anyongyire Angela at Central cell, UBP749J belonging to Charles Mwesigwa at Kaharo, UAY381M belonging to Reuben Kuvikayo at Kaharo, UAG914L belonging to Ezra Bikangiso at Kijuguta, UBA799R belonging to Rogers Manzi at Kijuguta, and UBP866J belonging to Andrew Mbonye at Kijuguta.
In Rukiga district, nine recovered number plates had not been reported stolen, which police consider a concerning practice.
These number plates are: UAX426W belonging to Hussein Nuwagaba at Bukinda, UAR845X belonging to Vianny Kombozi at Bukinda, UAY770Q belonging to Gilbert at Nyakanengo, UBJ404T belonging to Vianny Kombozi at Bukinda, UAK994G belonging to Julius Kamwesiga at Bukinda, UAP596G belonging to Bosco Muhwezi at Bukinda, UAP379K belonging to Tabaro Izidoro at Bukinda, UAN031D belonging to Tabaro Izidoro at Bukinda, and UBE998C belonging to Rubarema Dezi at Kakatunda.
Maate stated that besides the stolen number plates, the suspects were found with SIM cards and new leaflets bearing phone numbers they intended to leave on motor vehicles to demand ransom from the victims.
He says that they demanded ransoms ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 UGX, and after payment, they would direct the victims to the location of the hidden number plates. Maate adds that in some cases, the suspects took the money but did not reveal the location of the number plates.
Maate added that most of the recovered number plates have been returned to their owners. Upon completion of inquiries, the suspects will be arraigned before courts of law. He also warned the youth against engaging in such illegal activities.
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