Jinja, Uganda: Police in Jinja District have launched a manhunt for armed robbers who attacked a general merchandise shop and stole Shs2.5 million and other valuables during a violent raid in Muguluka West Zone, Kagoma Town Council.
The robbery occurred on Thursday night at around 8:45pm, sending shockwaves through the community after the attackers reportedly fired gunshots into the air to escape.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, three suspected robbers armed with two guns, a hammer and a knife stormed a shop belonging to Fred Nkuutu, placing him at gunpoint before stealing cash and other items.
The suspects are said to have arrived in a saloon car, which they later used to flee the scene.
Residents attempted to intervene and rescue the shop owner after hearing the commotion. However, the attackers reportedly fired gunshots into the air, forcing the crowd to disperse and allowing the suspects to escape before police could arrive.
Kiira Regional Police spokesperson James Mubi confirmed the incident, saying joint intelligence teams and the Flying Squad Unit had been deployed to pursue the criminals.
“The RPC SSP Charles Nsaba, through the Flying Squad and joint intelligence coordinatio,n has intensified tracking efforts to ensure the culprits are apprehended and face trial, and to recover the weapons and the saloon vehicle used in the armed robbery,” Mubi said.
Police officers who responded to the scene documented evidence and recovered a cartridge, which investigators say will be sent to ballistic experts for forensic analysis.
“The community gathered to rescue their own but the suspects fired in the air to escape. Police immediately responded, documented the scene and retrieved a cartridge pending submission to ballistic experts,” Mubi added.
Authorities believe the recovered evidence could help identify the weapons used during the attack.
Local leaders and residents say the incident has heightened security fears in Kagoma Town Council, where cases of armed robbery have reportedly occurred before.
Police have since stepped up patrols and intelligence operations across the area. RPC Nsaba has instructed officers in the region to intensify joint security operations aimed at tracking down suspected criminal gangs.
Meanwhile, information circulating on social media suggests that the suspects may have also targeted a prominent coffee trader identified as Bukenya, allegedly robbing him at gunpoint earlier in the evening.
Police had not officially confirmed the second incident by press time, but security teams reportedly cordoned off parts of the area as investigations continued.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or vehicles to the nearest police station.
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