A Joint security team is hunting for a group of men who go around Kampala and its suburbs hurling petrol bombs at both government and private vehicles.
On Monday night, the group allegedly threw petrol bombs at Katwe police station and later at two government vehicles.
Luke Owoyesigyire deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson says the Katwe incident, happened at a half past 7pm when unknown individuals threw petrol bombs perhaps intending to set the station on fire but it was contained before it spread.
He noted that with the petrol bomb incidents becoming synonymous, a joint security team of covert and overt personnel of military, police and crime intelligence have embarked on tracking the group behind the crime.
According to Owoyesigyire, other damaged government vehicles by petrol bombs include those thrown a Nakulabye in Lubaga Division and Amamu House Parking along George Street in the Central Business District for Pajero UG O587J and Isuzu Pick Up 334C.
He adds that the fire Amamu house spread to other two vehicles before it was contained. These other burnt cars have been identified as Land Cruiser UAY 272Y and Pajero UAL 108J. The Isuzu Pick Up was being driven by former Jinja RDC Eric Sakwa.
Another one happened at the URSB offices in town.
“The fire and rescue services managed to respond very fast to put the flames out before they could cause more damage. In both incidents, no injuries or deaths were registered. We have embarked on establishing whether this is a pattern of organised crime or it is a campaign that is coordinated to purposely disrupt the swearing in ceremony,” Owoyesigyire noted.
Petrol bomb incidents have mostly happened on roads where there is traffic congestion. In the last seven days, petrol bombs have been hurled at drivers in Kireka, Nakulabye, Wakaliga, Ntinda and Nateete by masked men on motorcycles who ride off after throwing the explosives.
“Our joint task teams are following up on certain intelligence leads that will help us identify the suspects for arrest and prosecution,” Owoyesigyire added.
Police have reminded passengers using motorcycles that curfew is 6 pm while drivers have been urged to maintain the 9 pm curfew. Police and military personnel have been briefed at all levels to enforce the curfew time.
