In a development causing ripples through the military establishment, a senior UPDF officer is now under scrutiny as his registered firearm emerges as a crucial element in the Kawempe mobile money robbery within Kampala city.
This revelation has heightened the ongoing inquiry, prompting concerns about the potential misuse of military assets in criminal activities.
The firearm, belonging to UPDF one-star- General, Brig Phillip Mugarura, has been identified as the weapon allegedly used in the Kawempe mobile money theft, where a low-ranking UPDF soldier, Robert Kyaligonza, reportedly stole Shs 600,000.
During Kyaligonza’s arrest, he was found in possession of a star pistol with 8 rounds of ammunition. The suspect later confessed to robbing a mobile money agent, Eddy Muwong, in Maganjo, Kawempe.
Pte Kyaligonza was apprehended alongside another suspect, Elia Ssekyanzi.
Investigations unveiled that the duo, armed with a gun, invaded Polymath Investments, an Airtel branch in Maganjo, coercing workers Eddy Muwonge and Nanteza Christine to surrender all cash on the premises, resulting in the theft of Shs 600,000.
Fortunately, officers from Katale Police Station intercepted the suspects as they attempted to dispose of the stolen items en route to the police station.
Kyaligonza, previously implicated in a theft case, was taken into custody by the UPDF.
“The suspects will be investigated for allegations of aggravated robbery, and the firearm has been exhibited by our forensic expert team; it will be analyzed to ascertain whether it has appeared in any previously reported crimes involving the use of a gun. The team at Kawempe has also identified the victims of the robbery case, and their statements have been taken to aid in the ongoing investigations,” stated Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire on Tuesday.
Brig. Mugarura under investigation
This investigative website has learned that the firearm used by Pte Kyaligonza belongs to Brig. Phillip Mugarura, the former Rwenzori regional coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation.
Last year, he partially commanded the operation to relocate Balaalo from Northern Uganda.
A highly placed security source disclosed that Robert Kyaligonza is a driver for Brig. Mugarura, and army investigators are attempting to ascertain how he accessed the gun from his principal.
A firearm is strictly a personal possession and is not shared among security officials.
This website has confirmed that Mugarura has since provided a statement to the UPDF at Kawempe Division regarding how his gun ended up in the hands of unauthorized individuals.
“His statement was not convincing, and he is being investigated. Once there is enough evidence, he will also be arrested,” stated a security official.
Efforts to contact Brig. Mugarura were unsuccessful, as his known phone number couldn’t be reached.
When reached for comment, UPDF spokesperson Brig Felix Kulayigye stated that he was unaware of the arrest of Pte Kyaligonza or the investigation against Brig Mugarura. “Let me check,” he said before ending our call.
