A 19-year-old ex-convict is in custody after police arrested him in connection with an armed robbery in Nakasero, Kampala, in which a car dealer lost property worth 29 million shillings.
Police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect after an armed gang riding on seven motorcycles robbed a car dealer of property worth 29 million shillings in Nakasero, Kampala.
The incident happened near Mackinnon Suites opposite the Sudanese Embassy over the weekend. Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, identified the victim as Kenneth Mubazzi, 30, a car dealer who was riding on a motorcycle from Bukoto towards Nakasero.
According to Owoyesigyire, Mubazzi was ambushed by men travelling on about seven motorcycles who beat him and robbed him of three mobile phones, a gold chain and a bracelet valued at about 29 million shillings.
“The victim was attacked by armed men travelling on about seven motorcycles. They assaulted him and robbed him of three mobile phones and gold jewellery. He sustained bruises during the attack but managed to raise an alarm.” Owoyesigyire said.
He said the alarm attracted security personnel attached to the Sudanese Embassy and police officers deployed around the Golf Course area, who pursued the suspects. One suspect, Julius Waiswa, 19, was arrested with one of the stolen phones, while a red motorcycle registration number UMA 639PC, believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing gang, was recovered at the scene.
Preliminary investigations show that Waiswa was previously remanded at Luzira Prison on charges of aggravated robbery in 2024 and was released in July 2026. We have established that this suspect was previously remanded at Luzira on aggravated robbery and was released in July this year. We believe he rejoined a gang that we have been tracking around,” Owoyesigyire said.
He said operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and recover the rest of the stolen property. Police said this mode of operation, where they move in large numbers on motorcycles to surround victims, is becoming common and called upon the public to be more cautious.
The Nakasero robbery is the latest in a string of motorcycle gang robberies that continue targeting people carrying cash and valuables in Kampala and metropolitan areas.
Last month, police arrested three suspects, Sadic Byanyima, Joseph Waibale and Ivan Kisongode that are allegedly linked to a series of robberies in Kawempe and other parts of Kampala. The trio is allegedly behind the August 17 robbery in Bukoto Heights, where a cashier of Tilupati was attacked while heading to the bank and robbed of 22 million shillings.
Police also linked them to the theft of 10 million shillings from a person carrying money from a bank in Mpererwe in January, and to the robbery of a Nigerian national near the American Embassy on August 24. Police have consistently urged the public to avoid displaying large amounts of cash and jewellery in public and to use cashless transactions where possible-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
