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Gang killed in foiled bank robbery had stolen Shs557m in six months – Police

Uganda police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke addressing the media in Kampala recently (Photo/Courtesy)

Kampala, (UG):- Police have released more details on a series of robberies linked to the six gang members who were fatally shot last week during a foiled robbery attempt in Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

The suspects who police identified as Hamis Muhamed, Sharif Lukwago, Michael Ssebakka, Fahad Katongole, Adam Tusabe, and a man known as Dad Easy were gunned down last Monday, January 13, as they attempted to steal Shs300 million from a client who had just withdrawn cash in excess of millions from a bank branch on Acacia Avenue, Kololo.

In a fresh update to the media at Naguru Police Headquarters yesterday, Uganda Police spokesperson, ACP Kituuma Rusoke revealed that the gang had evolved from not only physically assaulting their victims but to now using weapons to execute their missions.

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“The suspects constitute part of a larger gang known for targeting individuals carrying large sums of money which had graduated from non-armed assaults. It has previously been targeting people without using tools but boxing and kicking victims into submission. They have been targeting victims from either banks or money-serving outlets like mobile money centres,” he explained.

The Police spokesman added that the group had a history of involvement in robberies with several cases about them recorded at various police stations around Kampala.

He particularly highlighted that the gang had committed several robberies using pangas, stealing a total of more than Shs557 million. This, Kituuma said, constituted the following robberies.

  • On June 15, 2024, they stole Shs394 million and $17,450 (approximately Shs64 million) from an accountant in Nakawa.
  • On December 9, 2024, they robbed Shs57.4 million from a victim near Case Hospital along Buganda Road after the money was withdrawn from Centenary Bank.
  • On January 4, 2025, they stole Shs30.7 million from a businessman in Industrial Area.
  • On December 10, 2024, they robbed Shs11 million outside Kawempe KCCA Women’s Hospital.

Despite putting the gang out of action during the foiled robbery, the fatal shooting sparked public criticism, with some members of the public condemning the killing of the suspects without giving them an opportunity to be heard.

The reaction prompted the Internal Affairs Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire and Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba to apologise for the incident before a parliamentary session last week.

Reiterating the apology on Monday, ACP Kituuma said investigations are underway to address any concerns about the operation.

“If there were any excesses, like all operations, anything can go wrong, there are clear intentions and deliberate efforts to look into this matter. If there is anything that went wrong, we shall look into it and come out with remedies. However, I want to tell the public that these groups are real and people are being targeted,” he stated.

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