Kampala, Uganda: Police in Katwe have foiled an attempted aggravated robbery at Nesta Petrol Station along Salaama Road in Makindye Division, arresting three suspects and recovering weapons in an intelligence-led operation.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, SP Rachael Kawala, the operation was carried out on April 26, 2026, after security agencies received intelligence about a planned attack targeting the fuel station in Salaama Parish.
“Police received intelligence about a planned robbery at the location. Acting swiftly, our task team responded immediately, resulting in the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of four pangas,” Kawala said.
The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue, with police indicating that more details will be released as inquiries progress.
Authorities say the swift intervention likely prevented a violent robbery, particularly given the nature of the weapons recovered and the targeted location, a petrol station often exposed due to cash handling and extended operating hours.
The incident adds to a broader pattern of aggravated robberies in urban Uganda. According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, cases of aggravated robbery remain among the most persistent violent crimes, with over 2,300 cases recorded nationwide during the year.
The report indicates that urban centres, especially in the Kampala Metropolitan area, account for a significant share of these incidents, often involving pangas, firearms, and coordinated gang activity.
Police data further shows that many of these attacks target commercial premises such as fuel stations, shops, and mobile money agents, largely due to the expectation of quick cash access.
Security agencies have since intensified intelligence-led operations to dismantle such criminal networks before attacks occur.
SP Kawala has urged the public to remain vigilant and continue sharing timely information, noting that community intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in preventing crime.
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