Police in Busoga North have apprehended Ndimuloodi Tiya, a soldier serving in the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Force), on suspicion of attempting to carry out a robbery involving the illicit substance ‘mercury’.
Private Tiya, who is affiliated with the Fisheries Protection Unit-FPU assigned to Lake Kyoga, is presently under custody at Buyende Police Station.
This action follows the unfortunate demise of Fredrick Ngobi, the Director of Citizens of Hope Primary School located in Buwenge Town Council. Ngobi lost his life at the hands of an enraged crowd after allegedly participating in an attempted theft of ‘mercury’. His accomplice, Julius Kiirya, also met the same fate.
Investigations indicate that Ngobi and Kiirya conspired to engage the services of Tiya to assist them in a plot to raid the residence of Mutwaire Bamwegombye, a 70-year-old resident of Busiike village in Buyende district, with the intent to steal ‘mercury’.
The incident unfolded on a Sunday, when the assailants forcibly entered Mutwaire’s abode, demanding the surrender of all mercury within his possession. However, Mutwaire employed a clever stratagem, contacting his associates upon entering his bedroom. Swiftly responding to his call, his friends arrived at his residence.
Observing the mounting crowd, Tiya and his accomplices hastily fled the scene in a saloon car, abandoning Ngobi and Kiirya to the wrath of the furious mob.
According to Michael Kasadha, the spokesperson for Busoga North Police, the authorities have managed to retrieve an SMG rifle along with 82 rounds of ammunition from Tiya. The police are now making a public appeal for any pertinent intelligence that could potentially aid in the apprehension of other individuals implicated in the incident.
