By Nelly Otto
JINJA
The Kiira Regional Police Command under the RPC SSP Charles Nsaba has rearrested two hardened criminals identified as Chris Kiguli,26 alias ‘Dindo Di’ and Samuel Muwanguzi,25 alias ‘Sam Foster’ in connection with the murder of Rogers Kifubangabo, son of Busoga Kingdom’s Information Officer Owek. Michael Kifubangabo (popularly known as ‘Omulopa’ because he hails from Bulopa Sub County in Kamuli district.
The duo was released a few days ago from Kirinya Prison after serving time for Aggravated Robbery and Kidnapping with a court order to pay 10million Uganda shillings each in compensation to their victims.
They have been described as most notorious hardened criminals in recent times in Jinja and Busoga where there are trails of their ugly marks on the lives of families and individuals.
Trusted sources say while serving their sentence at the cold Kirinya Prison, Kiguli and Muwanguzi reportedly freely boasted about their criminal strengths by listing dozens of their victims which included Rogers Kifubangabo.
Fortunately, one of the patriotic prison officials eavesdropped and alerted his bosses who in turn briefed the Uganda police who patiently waited for the appropriate time hence the re-arrest.
According to the police, incriminating evidence links Kiguli and Muwanguzi to Rogers Kifubangabo’s murder which occurred in June 2023 in Bugembe’s Budhumbuli Kalina Zone.
The Kiira Regional Police publicist SP James Mubi, the operation led by the DPC CPS SP David Kamugira demonstrates the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the region.
“…we have started investigations to ascertain the motive of the killers and we want to assure members of the public that the killers shall be prosecuted as soon as possible…”
Like Dr James Alan Fox, a celebrated American criminologist and professor at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts said, “the longer a criminal is on the streets, the more opportunities they have to commit further crimes, detectives at the CPS Jinja could not take chances.
The 32-year-old trained graduate of Mass Communication victim, a former presenter at Basoga Baino (Baba TV’s Zonto Show programme and comedian was stabbed to death by unknown assailants a few metres from his residence.
His body was discovered in a pool of blood with cuts around the neck, pointing to a clear signal some criminals actually attacked him.
Mubi says Kiguli and Muwanguzi are currently being detained at the once-feared Nalufenya Police Station where they are facing fresh charges related to Rogers Kifubangabo’s murder.
The police also revealed that the two comrades in crime have been issuing threats to security personnel and civilians further complicating the investigation.
The re-arrest of these suspects brings hope to the Michael Kifubangabo family that justice will be served, although it does not bring back Rogers but serves to warn other would-be criminals that there is no hiding place here on earth for killers.
They are no strangers to the police cells and prison where they are regular ‘guests’ because even in February 2024 the two were arrested with the help of operatives from the Directorate of Crime Intelligence.
Like Mark Kleiman an American professor of public policy, author and blogger once said that “a criminal has 60 days to commit new crime after release from prison and its crucial that law enforcement and intelligence agencies keep a close eye on repeat offenders.
Commentators have welcomed the re-arrest of the duo saying it shows that the police in Jinja and Kiira region as a whole are proactive in preventing further crimes.
