Police foil robbery attempt in Kampala, arrest 4 suspects

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Police say they have arrested four suspects following a botched robbery attempt at a mobile money outlet in Kampala suburb's Kisaasi over the weekend.

The suspects, who were armed with machetes and improvised weapons, were apprehended during a swift response by area Police, preventing what could have been a violent escalation.

Addressing the media during the weekly joint security press briefing on Monday, September 15, 2025, Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma commended the officers involved and issued a stern warning to criminal elements operating in the city.

"We want to assure the public that the Uganda Police is fully committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens. The suspects were arrested before they could carry out any serious harm, thanks to our improved response systems," Kituuma said.

However, Kituuma did not name the identities of the suspects but noted that the gang had been under surveillance for several weeks after intelligence linked them to a series of similar robberies in Bukoto, Ntinda, and Kamwokya.

"This operation was the result of careful co-ordination between our crime intelligence and the field units. We had been monitoring this group and were able to intercept them in real time," Kituuma explained.

Recovered at the scene were crude weapons, a motorcycle with defaced registration plates, and mobile phones suspected to be stolen from previous victims. Police say the suspects are currently being held at Kira Road Police Station and will be arraigned in court later this week.

"We are working with other security agencies to dismantle such criminal networks. Our message is clear: if you engage in crime, you will be caught," he added.

Kituuma also used the briefing to urge the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activity.

"Community policing remains at the heart of our strategy. We continue to appeal to the public to report early signs of criminal activity. Your information, however small, could save lives," he stated.

Investigations into the broader network connected to the suspects are ongoing, and police hinted at further arrests in the coming days.

Statistics

According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report, overall crime in Uganda dropped by 4.1%, from 228,074 cases in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024. However, robbery cases increased by 5%, rising from 7,772 in 2023 to 8,163 in 2024.

Police say most of these were armed robberies, particularly targeting businesses and travellers. Authorities also note a trend of increased sophistication among criminal gangs, with improved coordination and planning.

This trend, police say, highlights the need for enhanced intelligence gathering, community cooperation, and rapid response capabilities to combat violent crime more effectively.