Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisaumu City

THREE men who were masquerading as town service taxi operators are being detained at Kiira road Police station. They were suspected of robbing a lady passenger. The incident occurred on May 3 at 11:30am.

Hassan Kazibwe, John Musoke and Moses Ssembwa, were in a Toyota Hiace, UAM 832L that was heading for Kampala city along Jinja Road.

However, mid way, they branched off BAT, drove through 1st Street Industrial Area and joined the Old Port Bell Road. When the taxi approached Meat Packers, the conductor forced the lady passenger to a light, grabbed her handbag and sped off. The lady screamed and alerted boda-boda riders at the stage that the conductor had grabbed her bag.

The cyclists volunteered to pursue the taxi to Kamyokya, where other cyclists joined the chase. On realising that they were being tracked, the taxi branched off to Cooper Road, Kisementi and joined Bukoto Street. Fortunately, their luck ran out at a pothole on Bukoto Street. They could not drive through and opted for Kanjokya Street where they got caught up in the traffic jam. Six men tried to abandon the taxi but the boda-boda riders had surrounded them.

Three managed to escape and one jumped over a wall into offices in the area but was arrested. The mob pounced on the suspects but were saved when the officers from Kira Road Police Station intervened. They were loaded onto the Police patrol truck and the taxi was driven to the station. On searching the taxi, a purse was recovered under the seats. It belonged to another lady who had fallen victim earlier in the day and had reported her case to the Police.

According to Frank Natamba, the assistant superintendent of Police at Kira Road Police Station, five to seven cases of taxi robbery are reported in a day.

“The taxi drivers and their conductors use the excuse of telling passengers in the drivers’ cabin to firmly close the door, while others use the trick of advising passengers to fasten the seat belts. While the passenger pays attention to the door or belt, their neighbour, or the driver stealthily feels the pockets or handbags to pick money, wallets or mobile phones.”

Statistics from Jinja Road Police Station indicate that on average five to 10 cases of taxi theft are reported every week. Edward Ochom, the CID director, notes that although taxi theft is on the rise, it is one of may other tricks being used to rob people. Ochom cautions passengers to be vigilant and watch out for their property while they are travelling.

Chris Ssegoba, the deputy chairman of the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association, says the practice was so rampant in August and September 2009 but ceased due to the tight measures that were put in place.

He attributes the rapid increase of taxi thefts to people who hire taxis from drivers claiming that they are transporting school children or helping people shift, yet they use them to steal.

Ssengoba added: “UTODA staff is registering every taxi that stops to pick passengers at every stage. Besides, every driver whose taxi is caught will be arrested as an accomplice and will face charges.” He urged passengers to take precaution and note the taxi’s registration number before boarding it.

Natamba says the thefts normally take place between 11:00a m and 2:00pm when there are few passengers on the road, although there are cases reported early in the morning, late evening and at night.

PRECAUTIONS

Natamba advises passengers to be observant. If the taxi has a few passengers (about 4-6), especially men, you should not board it.

If the conductor insists on you occupying the front seat then later tells you to check the locks or fasten your seat belt, it should alert you that you could be in the hands of thieves. Immediately disembark and record the car registration number plate.

You should take care of your property. Even fellow passengers can be pickpockets.

Avoid moving with lots of money. You can access money anywhere. But if you have to move with money, do not keep it in the wallet or purse, since they are a target for thieves.

Once you have fallen victim, you should report to the Police immediately. The thieves could dump your documents at the scene of crime, which could get you arrested as an accomplice. The police letter would also help you process new documents, for example driving permits and identity cards.

If your ATM card is stolen, run to the nearest branch and request that your card number be blocked.

TESTIMONIES

Cpl. Catherine Namulwasira,
Kamyokya Police booth

Namulwasira is a one of the lady victims of taxi registration number UAM 832L. She identified the driver and the taxi when they were taken to Kamwokya police booth. She narrates the incident that occurred on April 3 at about 11:00am: “I was coming from Centenary Bank main branch on Entebbe Road where I had withdrawn money.

“I boarded a taxi at Crane Bank, Kampala Road and occupied the front seat. Immediately the conductor started telling me to fasten the door. I placed my handbag on my laps and turned to fasten the door. When we approached Fido Dido, the driver and conductor urged me to move to the back seats.

“When I moved out, I realized my handbag had been unzipped. The taxi sped off but I managed to note the figures 832L. It was after I had boarded another taxi that I realized that my purse, containing the sh150,000 I had just withdrawn, was missing. I reported the matter to the UTODA Offices in Kamwokya and they said that number was not a regular on the Kamyokya route.

“The incident happened in 3-5 minutes. I boarded a taxi at Lugogo Shoprite stage and occupied the front seat, heading for New vision offices. The conductor asked me to close the door firmly.

“The other passenger in the front, who must have been one of them, pretended to help me fasten the door. While I turned towards the door, he unzipped my handbag and picked my purse. I did not notice that my purse was missing until I reached the office. However, luck was on my side and after they robbed me they branched off to Old Port Bell Road and stole another lady’s handbag.”

The lady alerted boda boda cyclists who pursued the taxi to Kamyokya, where they were waylaid, arrested and taken to Kamyokya police booth. When the was searched, the Police found my purse under a seat. I was called to identify it. I was shocked to find the man was seated next to me among the passengers.

Ends