The territorial police in Kisoro have arrested five suspects over the illegal possession of government stores, which include a firearm, a number of ammunitions, military fatigue, a GPS machine, and a binocular.

According to Detective Sergeant (D/Sgt) Lawrence Warugaba, he received a tip from locals who grew suspicious of a motor vehicle parked for a long time at around 10:30 pm along Busamba Road in Kisoro Municipality.

Warugaba said that a patrol team at the station followed the tip-off and proceeded to the location provided, where they found a motor vehicle registration number UAQ 236M, Noah Silver in color, with about six occupants.

He said that the officials searched the vehicle and found a gun and other security equipment, which prompted them to arrest four of the suspects.

Warugaba identified the suspects as Bosco Mugisha, John Ntaale, Stanley Sekiranda, and Elias Muheki. However, the other two fled.

Warugaba said that upon arrest, the suspects were transferred to Kisoro Central Police Station.

“They were transferred to Kisoro CPS, and on search they were found with three magazines loaded with 90 rounds of ammunition, a pair of UPDF uniforms, a UPDF warm suit, a GPS machine, binoculars, and a screwdriver, among others,” he said.

However, according to Warugaba, Mbazira reported himself to the police station, claiming ownership of the vehicle and some property in it.

“After about 30 minutes, Trovica Mabzira reported to the station, claiming ownership of the motor vehicle and some of the properties therein, alleging that he had given it to his friend, who is a driver at Cyanika (names yet to be established), who had requested to go somewhere, and for him he had booked a room at Home Lodging Kivenfere Road Kisoro municipality, where an SMG rifle loaded with 30 rounds was recovered as well,” he said.

This incident comes at a time when the country is grappling with increasing cases of gun violence, which has been interlinked with the laxity of security forces, something the gun criminals have taken advantage of.

In May 2023 alone, over 13 cases of gun violence have been registered, drawing concern for increasing insecurity in Kampala and other parts of the country.