DCI Probe Gun Seized From Gang Who Robbed It From Uganda Police Officer

Kenyan detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) ballistic examinations division are analyzing an AK47 rifle that was stolen from a police officer in Uganda.

This followed its recovery by police in Kisumu, days after the Ugandan cop based at Central Police Station, Tororo was violently robbed by a gang.

Police on patrol had caught wind of a suspicious vehicle whose occupants burst out and fled, abandoning it in the process.

Ugandan police officers brandishing their AK-47 assault rifles to keep protesters at bay during a demonstration on July 11, 2018 in Kampala to protest a controversial tax on the use of social media. /AFP

"The rifle serial number  UG POL 861314 09446 was recovered by Kasagam police officers who were on patrol duties at Nyalenda A ward after they intercepted a suspicious Toyota Axio reg.no. KDL 301P whose 5 occupants immediately flang the doors open and scampered for safety, abandoning the vehicle," stated the DCI in part on Wednesday, January 31.

A search therein led to the recovery of four mobile phones and the stolen police rifle.

Also found in the vehicle during processing by Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) detectives was a homemade gun.

So far, the District Police Commander in Tororo, Adam Kimuli confirmed the violent robbery involving his officer, further noting that some accomplices had already been arrested in Uganda and charged before the Tororo District Court.

"Meanwhile, painstaking forensic analyses are being explored with the aim of obtaining crucial leads to the run-away suspects, and the vehicle detained for further processing," added the DCI.

Speaking to the press, acting Bukedi South Regional Police spokesperson, Moses Mugwe revealed that an operation to trace the gun was launched immediately after it went missing. 

Mugwe stated that he received a call from his Kenyan counterparts who informed him about the recovery.

Police linked the recovered gun to multiple robberies in the country and across the border and launched a manhunt for the suspects.

Reports alleged that the gun was stolen in July 2023, when the thugs attacked the officer and hacked him with a crude weapon. 

They then escaped with his gun and other valuables after he became unconscious and passed out. 

Acting Bukedi South regional police spokesperson, Moses Mugwe addressing a gathering in Uganda. /UGANDA POLICE FORCE