By Priscah Atuhaire,
JINJA
The police in Jinja City have arrested two people and recovered 3,350 litres of fuel suspected to have been stolen from the fuel truck that was recently hijacked in Mayuge district.
On October 23, at around 9pm, a trailer registration number UBH 904U (head trailer) and trailer registration number UAT 093W, loaded with diesel was robbed from Magamaga highway in Mayuge district, as it was heading to Fortpotal from Kenya l.
The hijackers traveling in a Toyota Wish vehicle reportedly intercepted the victims, who include; Odyek Douglas, a 39 year old driver, and Okello Emmanuel, 26 at Wandhago village, Magamaga along the Iganga- Kampala highway and robbed them of their fuel tanker with 34,000 litres, mobile phones and other personal belongings.
The suspects arrested and detained to aid the police with investigation are Ashaba Henry, the manager, JAFRA petrol station and Katono Anitah, a pump attendant of the same petrol station where the alleged hijacked fuel tanker was found. The duo allegedly participated in the theft of fuel.
Police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga said the arrest follow an operation by the Flying Squad Unit in coordination with URA Enforcement and Jinja police in Jinja City leading to the recovery of the said fuel tanker.
“They (flying squad unit and URA enforcement team) tracked down the tanker and recovered it at Mailo Mbili Jinja North Division. And 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,” said Enanga
Several other arrests were made and more suspects arrested during an operation. Police says they recovered vehicle number plates, military like digital uniforms, reflector jackets and four caps.
Enanga said the arrest of suspects explains police commitment to rid the transport sector of criminality.
“We want to reassure all transporters of goods along the Mbale-Iganga – Kampala highway that efforts are in place to crack the entire criminal gang that was terrorising them.”
