The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is set to deploy a special technical team from the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS) to investigate a surge in gun crimes in Gulu City and Gulu District.
The move follows three weeks of attacks by unknown armed assailants that left two people dead, two injured, and 10 motorcycles stolen at gunpoint. The incidents have sparked fear among residents and the business community.
Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori, Commander of the Fourth Infantry Division, said the army is now working closely with Police to curb the violence. The DIS team formerly the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, CMI will scan crime hotspots and help track suspects.
“We are getting a technical team from CMI in Kampala because whenever a robbery takes place, those who participate in it have phones,” Said Gen. Busizoori.
He said the team would use phone data to identify numbers active around crime scenes at the time of the robberies. “The technical team will scan the area where the robbery took place and see the telephone numbers that were there. We are getting that team soon,” he added.
The deployment comes a day after gunmen shot and injured a boda boda rider, assaulted another, and stole four motorcycles during nighttime attacks on Tuesday in Kirombe Ward, Bardege-Layibi Division, and along the Gulu-Moroto Road in Laroo-Pece Division.
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Bardege-Laroo Division said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the robberies. He alleged they are linked to a network in Arua City and Arua District where motorcycles stolen from Acholi Sub-region and beyond are sold.
Police denied holding the suspects. Aswa West Police spokesperson David Ongom Mudong said investigations are ongoing and several stolen motorcycles are being tracked using GPS technology.
Business and boda boda leaders in Gulu City have called on security agencies to act quickly to restore safety as gun crimes rise.
