Police hunt assailants who robbed three BIDCO workers at gunpoint
Busoga East regional police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said on Friday that two of the suspects wore army-green clothing resembling military uniform.
The delivery truck that was abandoned during the armed robbery in Iganga on October 8 was eventually recovered by the Police. (Credit: Doreen Musingo)
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Three workers of BIDCO Uganda Limited were kidnapped and robbed of sh30 million at gunpoint by runaway armed assailants in Iganga district on Thursday.
The armed robbers are said to have intercepted the delivery vehicle along the Kawete-Nawandala Road in Kalungami village in Nabitende Kalungami sub-county.
Police said this happened at around 1pm.
The victims, employees of BIDCO's Iganga branch, were distributing the company's products in an Isuzu box-body truck (UAU 090H) when they were intercepted by the assailants travelling in a black Toyota Wish.
The suspects were reportedly armed with a rifle.
They abducted the three workers, leaving their delivery truck abandoned in the middle of the road, before driving them towards the Mbale Highway. The armed men then made off with sh30 million in cash and three mobile phones, abandoning the helpless victims in a place called Nawangisa in Busembatya in Bugweri district.
Kasadha said the trio, all residents of Iganga village in Iganga Municipality, were found unhurt and in good health and were assisting police with investigations.
The abandoned delivery vehicle was also recovered. Police had not made any arrests by Friday morning in connection with the armed robbery.
"Police is investigating to establish who the suspects are and whether they had prior knowledge of the workers' movements or how they knew the victims were carrying the huge sum of money," said Kasadha.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of workers transporting cash while conducting business deliveries.
Earlier this October, police in Busoga East recorded a case of kidnap and aggravated robbery of sh5.5 million from two workers of Kombucha drink, Iganga branch, by a gang of three thugs dressed and disguised in a manner similar to the latest incident.