Police have arrested and detained a suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) member who was found making booms in Banda Zone II in Nakawa Division, Kampala last weekend and he is being kept at Central Police station as investigations are ongoing.
The suspect was identified as Collins Mugabi was arrest after anti-terrorism police in conjunction with other security agencies cordoned on Banda zone II in Nakawa Division when vigilant residents of the area became suspicious after hearing sound of suspected boom blast.
The Police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga while addressing journalists in the weekly press briefing at Naguru Police Headquarters said that Mugabi had already made two local booms and due to his irregular handling one of them blasted up which prompted the residents to become suspicious and alerted police.
He said, the regular and anti-terrorism police together with other sister security agencies cordoned off the area and started making a search which led them to Mugabi’s rented room. From his room, police recovered 1 locally made boom, 3 jerricans of nitric acid, methanol, IED materials and other boom making related material used in the manufacturing of booms as well as textbooks guiding one in doing such work.
“ We are still interrogating him to find out for what use was he making these booms and whether he is connected to the ADF rebels or any other terrorist group with the East African region before further action is undertaken.’’ SCP Enanga said.
Enanga hailed the residents of Banda Zone II for being vigilant and reporting to police immediately after hearing the blast. He said that was a very good gesture because security starts with the individual before those mandated to provide it comes in to rescue.
It should be remembered that in November 2021, twin suicide bombings in Kampala, one on Parliamentary Avenue and the other at Buganda road near CPS and at least 3 people lost their lives while 33 others were wounded in the incidence, while properties like cars and one building were destroyed. The police’s investigations revealed the booms used were locally made.
By George Bukenya