The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have launched a man hunt for criminal gangs whom they blame for the recent spate of armed attacks on police posts countrywide.
The army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulaigye released a statement following a quartet attack on the armed officers as the assailants killed several and made off with multiple guns on separate occasions.
“The UPDF and sister security forces have launched a full scale onslaught on criminals interested in picking rifles to make unpalatable the appetite for gun acquisition.The criminals attempts on our forces shall be met with full force,” in part the statement read.
This follows an ambush on a UPDF foot patrol in Kikondo cell in Kapeka town council by two assailants armed with one AK47 rifle who contact shot dead UPDF soldier Tufeyo Obed.
The deceased’s colleagues fired back on target instantly killing the assailants, recovering the gun they used.
Earlier this year, the military and police recovered 304 guns from criminal gangs and individual thugs in the last two years. The guns were recovered in operations targeting violent crime perpetrators which saw 28 criminal gangs busted.
In addition to the 304 guns, security agencies have recovered 3,819 bullets in two years. The achievement is attributed to joint security operations and increased intelligence teams deployed in all crime prone areas.
