Highway robbery suspect arrested days after escaping police dragnet

RUBANDA - Two days after suspected highway robbers abandoned a motorcycle and a stolen calf during a police pursuit on the Kabale–Kisoro Road, security operatives in Kigezi have arrested one of the suspects in Rubanda district.

The suspect, identified as Elly Atuheire, 25, a resident of Nyarugarama cell, Nyaruhanga ward in Rubanda town council, was arrested on May 24, 2026, while allegedly riding another red Bajaj motorcycle without a registration number.

According to Kigezi Region Police spokesperson Elly Maate, the suspect had earlier escaped after abandoning a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, registration number UEV 958H, together with a stolen calf during an operation conducted in the night hours of May 21, 2026, on the Kabale–Kisoro highway.

“The thug who escaped after abandoning his motorcycle registration number UEV 958H Bajaj Boxer with a stolen calf on 21/05/2026 in the night hours was last evening arrested from Rubanda town while riding another numberless Bajaj motorcycle red in colour,” Maate said.

He added that security operations targeting criminal gangs involved in highway robberies and livestock theft would continue across the Kigezi sub-region.

“These disruptive operations will continue in the entire Kigezi region until those thugs are eliminated,” Maate said.

Police said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspects linked to the criminal activities.

“Inquiries are underway to establish his other associates, upon completion of which he will be produced before the court of law,” Maate added.

The Kabale–Kisoro highway has in recent months, experienced cases of highway robbery and livestock theft, prompting heightened security operations in the region.