Attacks on motorists in jam have been reported in Wakaliga where riders wearing masks have been throwing petrol bombs at congested cars for yet to be known reasons. Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said CCTV team at Nateete was trolling all the cameras to ensure culprits’ movements is established, their images recognized and motorcycles used identified.
Security
commanders in Kampala Metropolitan have tasked the Nateete Closed Circuit
Television –CCTV camera operators to retrieve and avail all footage of thugs
throwing petrol bombs at vehicles during jam.
Attacks on
motorists in jam have been reported in Wakaliga where riders wearing masks have
been throwing petrol bombs at congested cars for yet to be known reasons.
Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said CCTV team at Nateete is working hard to ensure movements of the culprits is established, their images recognized
and motorcycles used identified.
John Kasozi,
whose car was one of those damaged by petrol bombs two days ago, said he was
shocked to see strangers throwing burning items beneath his vehicle. “We were
in jam at Wakaliga road. I just saw men throwing burning things at my car. We
were lucky the fire didn’t explode. I am yet to understand why I was being
targeted,” Kasozi told police.
Kasozi was
driving a Toyota Prado with registration number UAR 720Q. Another driver whose
car was slightly damaged with a petrol bomb is Lawrence Musoke. He was just two
vehicles in front of Kasozi.
“My car
Toyota Premio UBF 955T was also targeted. These men could not be easily
identified. They were wearing masks. Up to now I don’t know whether they were
specifically targeting me or not,” said Musoke.
Enanga said
they were yet to get any information indicating that the criminals were targeting
particular individuals. Police suspect that the group had intended to burn at
least eight vehicles stuck in jam purposely to cause fear.
“These are
disruptive activities. We have the police in Nateete that is investigating a
double attacker on motorists during a jam. That is what happens during a jam
around Wakaliga –Nateete road junction. The petrol bombs were thrown underneath
the vehicles,” explained Enanga.
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The Wakaliga
incidents come barely two months after security successfully traced three
suspects who had allegedly thrown petrol bombs almost in the same area. The
trio with the help of CCTVs were apprehended and charged.
Besides
throwing bombs at cars in jam, petrol bombs have been hurled at fuel stations
in areas of Gayaza and Sekanyonyi all in Kampala metropolitan. Unidentified
motorcyclists threw a petrol bomb at Prime Petrol Station in Gayaza at around
1am on March 17th. A fuel pump was burnt at Prime fuel station before the fire
was contained. Lorris petrol
station was also attacked the same day of March 17.
“The fact
that the methods used are similar, makes us consider these attacks as some form
of organised crimes, with a potential of domestic extremism, aimed at
undermining the prevailing stability, peace and security in the country,”
says Enanga.
Security
agencies have since vowed that they are more than ready to encounter all forms
of threats to the security of Ugandans.
Mr Joseph Kato graduated with a Master's Degree of Art in Journalism & Communication on February 02, 2024 at Makerere University. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Journalism and Media Studies which he attained in 2023 at Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway.
Mr Kato holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Kampala International University. The Master's Degree studies and a decade of journalism practice have enabled Mr Kato to be one of the reliable researchers in areas of conflict, r
