In a statement on Monday, the Uganda police condemned two separate attacks on petrol stations in Gayaza and Sekanyonyi.
The Uganda Police issued a statement Monday condemning attacks that had occurred at two petrol stations in Gayaza and Sekanyonyi respectively.
In a statement dated 22nd March 2021, Fred Enanga the police spokesperson said the territory police in the Kampala Metropolitan area is actively investigating the brutal attack on the two petrol stations.
He said the first attack occurred on the 17th of this month when an unknown group hurled a jerrycan of suspected petrol to the station.
Enanga noted that the group also aimed at a petrol bomb which ignited a fire that burnt one of the fuel pumps at the station.
“The first incident occurred on the 17/03/2021, at Prime Petro Station, Gayaza, at around 1am, after jerrycan of suspected petrol was hurled into the station, followed by a petro bomb which ignited a fire, that burnt one of the fuel pumps at the station,” Enanga said.
“The fire was successfully extinguished, although it caused damage to the fuel pump. We are also looking at the appearance of the conductor to a coaster mini-bus, who came to the petrol station claiming he had forgotten his medicine in the mini-bus. It is moments after he had left that the attack occurred fortunately no casualties were registered.”
Also, he said the second also happened at around 1:30 am when a group of three men approached the fuel pump, with a 10-litre jerrycan, under the guise of fetching fuel.
“The second incident occurred at Lorris Petrol Station, at around 1:30am, after a group of 3 men approached the fuel pump, with a 10 litre jerrycan, under the guise of fetching fuel. They hurriedly poured petrol near the fuel pump and attempted to set the petrol station on fire,” he added.
“The guards on duty responded and fired at them, as they escaped from the scene, but missed them. The 10 litre jerrycan with traces of suspected petrol was recovered, an old sack and a match box. There were no damages and or casualties.”
The police spokesperson, however, said the task teams are gathering more information about the double incident which appears to have been attacks targeting petrol stations.
He said the police condemns all forms of violence aimed at destabilizing the country. Enanga further urged all proprietors of fuel stations, to promote target hardening controls at all these stations.
“The fact that the methods used are similar, makes us consider these attacks as some form of organised crimes, with a potential of domestic extremism, aimed at undermining the prevailing stability, peace and security in the country,” he said.
“We do reject all forms of violence aimed at destabilising our country. And we wish to reiterate our stance of countering all forms of threats to the security of Ugandans.
