Police Arrests Leaders of Notorious Gang in Kiseka Market

Multiple police raids have helped weaken a notorious gang based in Kiseka market, following the arrest of most of its leaders.

According to ACP Claire Nabakka, the deputy police spokesperson, police learned about the Banzege gang after it attacked Justus Byarugaba on June 12 and grievously harmed him during the robbery.

"This happened when he went to Kiseka market on a fateful day to repair his car which had a small mechanical problem with its side mirror. Unfortunately, he was attacked by a group of thugs that are known as BANZEGE who dismantled his motor vehicle and started demanding that he pays them over 10 million shillings," Nabakka said in Dec. 28 statement.

"When he refused, he was beaten using spanners and even robbed of his 50,000 (fifty thousand shillings only). The victim managed to run away from the premises and went to the police who helped remove his car from the scene. The suspects had already fled."

According to the statement, the gang had for long terrorized innocent unsuspecting people from Kiseka Market.

The leaders, who have been arrested were identified as Ismael Mpalanyi, alias Atilibo, alias Biba, Ronald Kiyimba, alias Kasekende, Mose Waswa, alias Mudinka, Ronda Sembogo and Godfrey Bagalana.

Police mounted an intelligence-led operation, leading to Mundika on July 5 and he was produced at Buganda Road Court on charges of Aggravated Robbery and then committed to the High court on November 15.

On December 22, Kasekende was also produced at Buganda Road Court on the same charges.

The others were arrested on the same day and are still in custody pending court on charges of Aggravated Robbery. "The arrest of these thugs has brought some sanity to Kiseka Market," reads the statement.