A total of eight UPDF soldiers are being held for allegedly raiding Lumuli Police Station in Ndejje Parish, Wakiso District, and rescuing two of their colleagues from detention.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, said the arrest took place on Friday, January 6, 2023.
Owoyesigyire said that the eight soldiers, dressed in UPDF attire and driving a vehicle with the registration number UAP 705P (a Toyota Land Cruiser), raided the police station and directed the police officers on duty to release their colleagues that were in custody.
He added that the two suspects had previously been detained for staging an illegal roadblock on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at around 9:30 p.m. in Kakoola village, Ndejje parish, Makindye Ssabagabo in Wakiso District.
“We have arrested the suspects as we investigate the aggravated robbery case and the aiding of suspects to escape from lawful custody,” Owoyesigyire said.
The suspects are currently in custody pending further police investigations into the incident that has already kicked off.
In October 2022, President Museveni directed that all roadblocks on the highways be removed with immediate effect.
He said that they limit the movement of goods and are breeding grounds for corruption. The President, however, reinstated them toward the holiday season, as crime was suspected to increase during this period.