Police foil armed robbery at coffee factory, one shot dead

KYOTERA - Security officers in Kyotera district on Monday, July 21, 2025, foiled an aggravated robbery involving five armed men who targeted the manager of Mazima Bugaga Coffee Factory, making off with shillings 50 million in cash.

A Police statement issued on Wednesday, July 23, says the suspects ambushed the factory manager in a co-ordinated attack before fleeing the scene. Officers launched a hot pursuit as the robbers attempted to escape toward Masaka.

The chase ended at Kizigo Village, where a confrontation ensued. One of the suspects, identified as Lawrence Ssenyuumu was shot dead by Police during the exchange.

The remaining four suspects managed to escape and are currently on the run.

“Two firearms, a motorcycle believed to have been used in the robbery, and other crucial exhibits were recovered from the scene,” reads the Police statement.

Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects, urging the public to share any information that could lead to their arrest.

Kyotera among top cash theft districts

According to the Annual Crime Report 2024, a total of 8,163 cases of robberies were reported to the Police countrywide in 2024, compared to 7,772 cases reported in 2023, giving a 5% increase in this crime category.

Cases of Robberies where lethal weapons were not used were 5,047 cases, while cases of Aggravated Robberies where lethal weapons like firearms, knives, hammers and machetes were used were 3,116 cases.

By the end of 2024, out of the total cases of Robberies reported to Police, 2,898 cases were taken to court, 1,263 were not proceeded with, while 4002 cases are still under inquiry.

Out of the total cases taken to Court, 465 cases secured convictions, 49 cases were acquitted, 368 cases were dismissed, while 2,016 cases are still pending in Court.

The same report says 573 cases of robbery of cash were reported to the Police in 2024, compared to 551 cases reported in 2023, giving a 4% increase in this crime category.

However, going by the trends, Kyotera district has, over the years, registered rising cases of cash robbery. The district registered 15 cases in 2024, 10 in 2023, eight in 2022, one in 2021 and two in 2020.

Mayuge registered the highest number of cases of Aggravated Robbery of cash in 2024 (25 cases), followed by Mityana and Nansana with 23 cases each, Mukono with 19 cases, and Katwe with 17 cases, among others, as shown in the table below.