Police in Masaka have arrested 30-year-old Moses Sekyewa, a resident of Masaka Grammar, after he was found in an eucalyptus tree forest with harmful tools and drugs in Kyotera district.

This incident happened on December 10, 2024, in Kalisizo Town Council in the Kyotera district.

According to the locals, they  initiated a search for criminal hideouts in forests and bushy areas when Sekyewa was caught with sacks, a hammer, iron bars, marijuana, and other illicit drugs.

Speaking to the media, one of the locals identified as Maama June revealed that they started the manhunt because they were facing countless attacks from armed thugs, mostly from the forests and bushy areas.

Maama June added that Sekyewa is part of a gang that had been terrorizing the residents in the area for a long time.

’’In the last two weeks of November, these thugs attacked a woman and the boda boda man with iron bars, robbed them, and left them in critical conditions with deep head wounds,’’ Maama June said.

She added that after Sekyewa was caught, he told them about the gang he works with in exchange for not being killed by the locals, and after he was taken to Kalisizo police station with all his exhibits.

The greater Masaka police spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, confirmed this incident and revealed that investigations are underway and Sekyewa was going to be aided in them.

’’As police continue their investigation, they plan to search the area further for additional evidence related to Sekyewa’s activities and his gang’s operations,’’ Kasirye revealed.

Kasirye thanked the locals for not committing mob justice against the suspect because he is going to help in the investigations.

The collaborative effort between residents and law enforcement highlights the importance of community engagement in crime prevention.