Police Foil Planned Mobile Money Robbery, Arrests 42 Suspects in Kampala Operations

Police in Kampala on Friday said they had foiled a planned robbery targeting a mobile money agent and arrested five suspects believed to be linked to a string of aggravated robberies across the metropolitan area.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, the operation followed intelligence received on May 15 indicating that the suspects were planning to attack a victim transporting cash from Kalerwe in Kawempe Division to Wandegeya.

“The suspects had reportedly planned to attack the victim during the transaction,” Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said.

Police officers later mounted an operation in Wandegeya, leading to the arrest of the five suspects and the impounding of two motorcycles allegedly intended to be used in the robbery.The recovered motorcycles bore registration numbers UGG 664A and UMA 567JW.

Police further revealed that one of the suspects is believed to be connected to several aggravated robberies within Kampala Metropolitan, including incidents at Kitezi Hardware Shop in Wakiso District, Gwanda Mall, and a robbery targeting Centenary Bank.

In a separate intelligence-led operation, Kampala Metropolitan Police together with other security agencies arrested 37 suspects during raids conducted in Kira Municipality, Kajjansi Town Council, and Kira Road Police Division.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the operations targeted suspected crime hotspots in Kiyinda, Bulindo, Kiwologoma, Lweza, Nakigalala, Seguku, Kulambiro, and Tuba.

Police said the suspects were allegedly gathering in those areas to abuse narcotic substances and coordinate criminal activities, including burglary and theft.

Authorities added that suspected marijuana, dry plant materials, and playing cards were recovered during the operations.

“All suspects are currently detained at the respective police stations pending screening, fingerprinting, and prosecution,” Owoyesigyire said.

Police noted that the operations are part of ongoing efforts to fight crime and strengthen public safety across Kampala Metropolitan.