“They didn’t want motorcycles. They only wanted cash and phones. Some riders lost UGX 60,000, and the Fuso driver lost over UGX 400,000,” a witness and survivor told this publication.
Kakumiro, Uganda: A high-level presidential function in Kakumiro District ended in terror for dozens of residents who were ambushed and robbed by an armed gang while returning home, raising serious questions about rural security and post-event safety planning.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Kyangonta village on the outskirts of Kisiita Town Council, shortly after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja had addressed thousands at Mpasaana Seed Secondary School the previous evening.
The event was meant to showcase government development efforts and rally grassroots support. But hours later, what should have been a night of celebration turned into horror.
Victims told DailyExpress they were waylaid by a group of six to eight men, armed with a gun, pangas, and a rice-cutting machine, who robbed them of phones, mobile money, and cash under the cover of heavy rain.
“We were returning from the rally at around 2:00 AM when we saw a parked Fuso truck that had been stopped. The men ordered us off our motorcycles and forced us to lie face-down in the truck,” said one victim who requested anonymity.
The robbers, some in worn military-style fatigues, reportedly spoke broken Kiswahili and mixed Luganda and Runyankole, sparking suspicion that they were not from the local area.
“They weren’t your ordinary thieves. They seemed trained, and they were very methodical. One wore a faded UPDF uniform and a black mask. But another had white canvas shoes,” another victim narrated.
Survivors said the attackers demanded phones be unlocked and mobile money balances checked. If money was found, it was transferred before the phones were confiscated. Boda boda riders and Fuso truck operators lost an estimated UGX 2 million in total.
“They didn’t want motorcycles. They only wanted cash and phones. Some riders lost UGX 60,000, and the Fuso driver lost over UGX 400,000,” one witness explained.
Plot Twist?
In a chilling twist, victims believe the gang might have trailed the presidential convoy, exploiting the thin security coverage along return routes after the function.
“With the President and Prime Minister around, we expected police presence on all roads. But the criminals knew where security was lightest. It’s like they had intel,” said a local council member, who asked not to be named.
Despite the gravity of the incident, security agencies have remained tight-lipped. By press time, no police statement had been issued, no arrests reported, and residents said no patrol response came during or after the robbery.
“We screamed for help, ‘Afande! Afande!’, but no one came. We felt abandoned,” a shaken victim said.
Local leaders now fear that if gangs are monitoring presidential events and targeting civilians during exit dispersals, the problem could escalate. Some speculate the criminals could be rogue ex-soldiers or deserters, a concern that has surfaced in other districts plagued by armed robberies.
“This calls for a full review of how security is deployed during national events. It’s not just VIPs who deserve protection,” said a community elder from Nalweyo.
The Prime Minister’s event had earlier showcased achievements under the Parish Development Model (PDM) and renewed calls for local wealth creation. But for residents who fell victim to the robbery, the night will be remembered for fear, not transformation.
“They didn’t kill us, but they robbed our dignity. And now, everyone’s gone silent. Where are the police?” a victim asked.
As of June 25, no official communication had come from the Regional or District Police Force or the Resident District Commissioner’s office, leaving survivors with unanswered questions and the community demanding action.
Editor’s Note: This report was compiled from multiple survivor interviews, security briefings, and contextual analysis of Uganda’s crime trends. Names of victims are withheld for their safety.
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