Lubowa robbers fooled by food package after targeting Chinese couple
The couple had been returning home from their workplace in Kampala when they were attacked near their residence in Lubowa during the evening hours.
The car in which the robbers who targeted the Chinese national were travelling was captured on cameras. (Courtesy)
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A Chinese couple operating a business in Uganda narrowly escaped a robbery in Lubowa after armed thugs mistakenly fled with a package containing meat and fresh cowpeas, believing it held cash.
The couple was ambushed by a group of robbers as they approached their home in Lubowa, Wakiso district.
According to the victims, the assailants smashed the vehicle’s window and quickly grabbed a package from inside the car, assuming it contained money. However, the bag only contained one kilogramme of meat and a kilogramme of fresh cowpeas.
One of the victims, who spoke to New Vision on May 14, 2026, but requested anonymity for security reasons, said the vehicle’s onboard cameras captured images of both the suspects and the car they were using.
The victim, who is currently in China, said the couple had been returning home from their workplace in Kampala when they were attacked near their residence in Lubowa during the evening hours.
The two suspects still at large were captured on camera after robbing a Chinese national in Lubowa. (Courtesy)
The suspects fled with the food items and did not inflict further harm on the couple.
The case was reported at Lubowa Police Station under reference number SD Ref. 27/02/04/2026 as a case of robbery and malicious damage.
Police have since launched investigations and are actively tracing the suspects and the vehicle allegedly used in the crime, a Toyota Premio registration number UAZ 055F.
Sources at the station said public cooperation in identifying and locating the vehicle could help speed up investigations.
Frank Semmambo, the chairperson of Kyeyagalire local council in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso district, where the incident occurred, said local leaders frequently receive reports of similar crimes.
“We cannot afford to deploy police at every spot. It requires the concerted effort of the local community to be diligent and report suspected criminals through self-policing mechanisms," Semmambo said.