There was panic in and around Makerere University last evening as Police fired bullets during the arrest of five suspected conmen.
The suspects, four male and one female have been identified as Stellah Kalungi, David Kironde, Ronald Kamugisha, Nasser Kibirige and Yazidi Kabonge.
These are believed to have conned up to 200,000 dollars from Assi Soubhi, a resident of Bogota, in Colombia and a dealer in rare and precious gemstones.
They were arrested from the Physical Chemistry lab after a three-hour operation by officers from CID Headquarters in Nsambya. There was heavy firing of bullets as police arrested the gang.
Reports indicate that the conmen arrived at the university in three cars, a Mercedes Benz E320 registration number UBB 292C, a Subaru number UAY 907W and a land cruiser number UAQ 823F. All the cars have been impounded by the police.
However, two suspects, believed to be employees of Makerere University, identified by staff from chemistry department as Mutenywa, a lab assistant and Budigi Ruharara, the chief technician in the chemistry lab managed to escape the arrest.
Also, Dr. Gabriel Nullfield Kasozi a lecturer at the ivory tower was implicated in the scandal having been found in the lab. After several hours of pleading for fear of embarrassment, Dr. Kasozi whose office can only be accessed through the lab was made to record a statement at the scene while the other suspects were taken to Kibuli CID headquarters.
According to Prof. J.Y.T Mugisha, the Principal of the College of Natural Sciences, Mutenywa who is the University staff had been arrested over a similar case.
"That Mutenywa I received a case in my office that he had been arrested and implicated in a similar case about two-three months ago. He was later released after 14 days because there were no witnesses to implicate him," Prof. Mugisha said.
Police has reportedly been tracking the suspects for the last three years since the crime was committed.
