By Tracy Oiko Acen and Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
REGIONAL
Two prime suspects have been arrested in connection to armed robbery attack on Spice Supermarket located Ku Ssatu, in Namubiru ward, Mukono Central Division in Mukono Municipality.
The incident happened on Saturday last week when armed robbers attacked the supermarket and fired a bullet that injured the cashier, Irene Ssekandi and run away with unspecified amount of money.
However, during the joint security press briefinh at police headquarters in Naguru, the police spokesperson CP Fred Enanga revealed that they had arrested two suspects in the robbery incident
He identified the suspects as William mugalu, 24, and Sam Mbogo, 24, all resudents of Nasuuti cell, Ntawo ward, Mukono Central in Mukono municipality.
According to Enanga, the duo was arrested following tip off by anonymous witness who identified them as they escaped the scene.
“The two suspects were sighted on the eve of the robbery, while drinking at Cloud 9 bar, near the supermarket. They were clearly identified by one of the witnesses who clearly saw them escaping from the scene.” Enanga disclosed
Police is working tooth and nail to recover the gun which the suspects used used in robbery as well as identifying other members of the gang who police says is an amateur group that is always uses violence to loot merchandises.
“Such groups are usually desperate, panicky more high risk and willing to use violence,” said police
In addition, police has sent a team of counsellors from the CID in Kibuli to visit the victim (Irene Ssekandi) and extend counselling services to her.
“They shot a bullet through the computer, which injured Ssekandi Irene, through the stomach and exited from the back. We wish her quick recovery,” Enanga explaining how Ssekandi was wounded.
He added that a team of counsellors from CID Headquarters has been dispatched to offer counselling services to the victim.
Police has noted that supermarkets, mobile money points, retail shops, markets have continued to be points of target for armed robbers something that put the lives of these businesses operators at risk.
They have also revealed that the robbers use knives, machetes, screw drives and other sharp objects are used besides using the guns.
Enanga blames rampant cases of armed robbery on high levels of unemployment among the youth, use of drugs, and change in criminal tactics. He says the robbers attack softer targets with lesser security, such as supermarkets as the opportunity of get-away.
Police has heavily deployed in Mukono to dismantle criminal gangs in the area. Meanwhile, the public has been asked to stay vigilant against crime in their communities.
“The public is requested to strengthen their neighbourhood watch programs and also boost security measures like connecting their alarms to police stations and deploying a sufficient number of private security guards,” urged police
