KAMPALA- The Police has announced an ongoing investigation into the shooting of six suspected bank thugs in Kampala, to find out whether there was operation mishaps that led to the use of excessive force by its men.
The deceased people were shot dead during an intelligence-operation that was aimed at foiling a reported robbery of a bank client in Kamwokya on Monday. Police said that a group of more than seven suspected robbers had targeted a bank client who was going to withdraw cash at Acacia Mall.
These were intercepted in a joint security operation by the Police Flying Squad and Crime Intelligence. The six armed suspects were shot dead on the spot, while one was arrested with injuries and two others escaped.
The Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke has identified the six people as Sharif Lukwago, Muzamir Kamoga, Fahad Katongole, Mahad Kamisi, Michael Sebaka, Twayisabe innocent alias Money Zaake.
According to police investigations, the six deceased individuals are suspected to have been involved in multiple cash robberies, including a recent heist where they allegedly stole 100 million shillings from businessman Fred Tibamanya. Tibamanya had reportedly withdrawn the money from a bank in Kawempe before being robbed.
“These individuals are part of a larger gang notorious for targeting big cash robberies, specifically bank clients. They have graduated from non-armed assaults, where they would target people using only their physical strength, boxing and kicking, to dispossess victims of their possessions.”Rusoke said.
When journalists asked Kituuma to explain the excessive force used during the operation, which witnesses described as a “shoot-to-kill” action rather than an arrest mission, he replied that mistakes could have occurred and that the matter is under investigation.
“If there were any excesses, as can happen in any operation, I want to assure you that we will deliberately investigate them. If we find any mishaps, we will take remedial action. Yes there could have happened.” Kituuma noted.
Kituuma further noted that the gang in question is indeed real and has been linked to several robberies in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
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The police have stated that an ongoing operation is still ongoing to hunt down and apprehend the remaining accomplices of the gang who are still at large, with the ultimate goal of dismantling the entire network.
On Thursday, Minister for Internal Affairs Gen Kahinda Otafiire ordered the Inspector General of Police Abasi Byakagaba to provide a comprehensive report on the incident. He also condemned the killings and emphasized the importance of adherence to legal procedures.
