The Flying Squad Unit in coordination with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement and Jinja police carried out an operation in Jinja City, leading to recovery of a fuel tank.
According to Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said the recovered fuel tanker is registration number UBH 904U (head trailer) and trailer registration number UAT 093W, loaded with diesel.
Enanga said the trailer together with the fuel tank was robbed from Magamaga highway in Mayuge district, as it was heading to Fort Portal from Kenya.
“The victims, who include; Odyek Douglas, a 39-year-old driver and Okello Emmanuel a 26-year-old, turnman were on the October 23, 2023 at around 9:00pm, intercepted by unknown assailants in a Toyota Wish, at Wandhago village, Magamaga along the Iganga- Kampala highway, and their fuel tanker with 34,000 litres of diesel destined for Fort Portal, hijacked. All their personal belongings including mobile phones were robbed from them,” he said.
Enanga adds: “They tracked down the trailer and recovered it at Mailo Mbili Jinja North Division. And found when the fuel had been offloaded at JAFRA Fuel station in Kubiri Kamuli road. The fuel totalling to 33,500 litres of diesel was however recovered from the petrol station.”
So far two suspects have been arrested. They include; Ashaba Henry, the manager, JAFRA petrol station and Katono Anitah, a pump attendant who both allegedly participated in the theft of the fuel.
Enanga says the Flying Squad Unit has arrested more suspects and recovered vehicle number plates, military like digital uniforms, reflector jackets and four caps.
“We want to reassure all transporters of goods along the Mbale-Iganga–Kampala highway that efforts are in place to crackdown the entire criminal gang that was terrorising them. The arrest of the suspects demonstrates our commitment and resolve to rid the transport sector of criminality,” he said.