KAMPALA — Police have arrested eight suspected members of an aggravated robbery syndicate during an intelligence-led operation targeting criminals operating in the Kampala Metropolitan area and neighbouring districts.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the operation was launched after police received credible intelligence on July 31, indicating that the suspects were planning a series of robberies.
The suspects were arrested before they could allegedly execute the planned attacks. During a search, officers recovered a brand-new panga concealed in the trousers of one of the suspects.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the group used motorcycles to carry out coordinated robberies, mainly targeting businesspeople transporting large sums of cash, particularly mobile money operators and agent banking businesses.
Police said the suspects confessed to participating in a robbery on July 27 near the Kisasi Road traffic junction in Ntinda, where they attacked and robbed a victim.
During the operation, officers recovered two motorcycles believed to have been used in the robberies, a brand-new panga, and Shs4 million in cash, which the suspects reportedly admitted were proceeds from one of the robberies.
Investigators are now working to establish whether the suspects are linked to other aggravated robbery cases reported across the Kampala Metropolitan area and to identify additional victims.
Police commended members of the public for providing timely information that led to the arrests and urged business owners, especially mobile money agents and agent banking operators, to exercise caution when handling large sums of cash.
“We urge business owners to avoid carrying large amounts of money without adequate security arrangements and to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
