Armed robbers steal sh1.8 million from betting outlet in Rubaga

KAMPALA - Police in Kampala are investigating an armed robbery that occurred in the early hours of October 13, 2025, at the Premier Bet Munaku branch in Lubya parish, Rubaga division, where thugs made off with sh1.87 million.

According to police reports, at about 2:00am, three unidentified assailants armed with a rifle ambushed the betting outlet, putting the unarmed night guard at gunpoint.

The robbers then accessed the cashier’s section and took off with the cash before escaping on a motorcycle towards Nabulagala.

A case of aggravated robbery has been registered at Old Kampala Police Station under CRB 1455/2025, and investigations are ongoing.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby businesses and analysing leads on the suspects’ possible movements.

Kampala Metropolitan Police sources told New Vision that such robberies often involve “hit-and-run” gangs targeting late-night business points with minimal security presence.

“Most of these groups have previously hit mobile money points and betting shops because they handle quick cash,” one senior officer said.

Police have since stepped up patrols around Rubaga, Kasubi, and Makerere areas, urging business owners to employ armed guards and install surveillance cameras.

Meanwhile, authorities reported that 739 suspects are currently in custody across the Kampala Metropolitan Police Area of Responsibility (AOR) for various crimes, including robbery, assault, and vandalism.

Police are also investigating the death of Agnes Namumpa alias Agie, a businesswoman who was killed along the Naalya–Kyaliwajala stretch of the Northern Bypass, another area now classified as a high-crime blackspot, last Thursday.

Luke Owoyesigyire said Namumpa was trailed by four assailants riding on two motorcycles.

She was travelling on a boda when the attackers attempted to snatch her handbag, which reportedly contained cash.

“She resisted and fell off the motorcycle, hitting her head on the tarmac. She died instantly as the assailants sped off,” Owoyesigyire said.

Police have since intensified patrols and promised permanent deployment along the Naalya–Kyaliwajala stretch to combat “smash-and-grab” robberies that target motorists and businesspeople.

“This stretch has become a blackspot for criminals who trail businesspersons. We are deploying permanently to restore safety,” Owoyesigyire said.

Last year, a police operation in the same area led to the recovery of over 200 women’s handbags and wallets, including that of Sandra Kyomuhendo, who had earlier reported a robbery case at Kira Road Police Station. The operation resulted in the arrest of at least 38 hardcore criminals.

Police figures show Uganda recorded 218,715 criminal cases in 2024, a slight decline from 228,074 in 2023. However, cases of aggravated murder, violent robbery, and motorcycle-linked killings remain high.

According to the 2024 Annual Police Crime Report, 88,985 suspects were arrested and charged, while 220,594 people were recorded as victims of various crimes ranging from murder and robbery to domestic violence.

Despite several breakthroughs, detectives admit that motorcycle-riding assailants remain elusive, often abandoning stolen property or switching routes once public attention intensifies.