Police in Kampala are on searches for an unknown gang which has made it a habit to attack public and private vehicles with petrol bombs.
The search follows a double incidence in which two private vehicles were recently targeted with petrol bombs during traffic jam.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, the two separate incidents happened simultaneously on Thursday evening when groups of people hurled the bombs at vehicles before vanishing in thin air.
“The first incident was reported by one Mubiru Shafiq, 32, a plumber resident of Najera Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. He reported a case of arson on his motor vehicle registration number UAJ 320S Corona green in colour by unknown people along Kireka railway,” Owoyesigyire said.
Owoyesigyire said that the victim didn’t see the attackers but as he drove home, he noticed fire flames on his car boot and was helped by the public to extinguish the fire.
“The Police have since reviewed CCTV footages and two male juveniles were seen walking during traffic jam and then one of them is seen pouring a liquid substance on the vehicle while the other lights the fire. The police are on the hunt for these juveniles,” Owoyesigyire said.
In a related incident, on the same day at around Kireka police station, unknown persons moving on a motorcycle attacked and blasted a petrol bomb to a double cabin motor vehicle Reg No UAY 679D belonging to Rose Kyasimire, a resident of Kira.
Kyasimiire told police that while in the vehicle, she heard a loud bang on the driver’s side and immediately saw fire.
“She would immediately stop the car and the community and Police managed to take out the fire hurriedly with sand and water. A bottle suspected to have been used to hull the substance at the car has been recovered and submitted to the Government Analytical Laboratory.”
Police have since kicked off investigations into the bomb attacks with a view of finding out the person or groups of people behind the attacks whom they believe are well coordinated.
“This was a well-coordinated attempt to cause harm on the occupants of the two motor vehicles but luckily none was injured. The two vehicles are currently parked at Kireka Police Station as investigations go on,” Owoyesigyire said.
Similar incidents have been common in Kampala Metropolitan Area especially targeting government vehicles and petrol stations.
Owoyesigyie has warned that police will not spare anyone caught or found having a hand in the acts.
