Police in Greater Masaka has arrested 9 people who are suspected of using a fake gun to perpetrate crime within the region.
It is alleged that the nine were arrested in Sembabule and found to have been in possession of a gun made out of wood.
Police say the gang has been using the ‘gun’ to rob people in the sub-counties of Mabindo and Lugusuulu.
“These thugs have also admitted to have attacked a businessman in Kakoma village, Mabindo sub-county on 21/11/2018 identified as Uwizeye, robbed him and killed him,” Police said in a statement on Monday.
The nine are also said to have been involved in a spate of crimes.
Police say they will appear in court on a number of charges as the Resident State Attorney will sanction.
Greater Masaka sub-region has in the recent past been a hotspot for serious crime especially murder. At the start of last year, there was a spate of night attacks on people’s homes by machete-wielding assailants in four villages in Bukomansimbi and Lwengo districts in which four people including a retired senior police officer, Dennis Ssebugwawo were killed and 11 others injured.
In 2017, locals within the sub-region were gripped in panic after unknown elements dropped anonymous letters threatening to attack and kill residents listed thereon.
