Kampala, Uganda: Police have launched investigations into a brazen daylight robbery captured on video at the busy Nsambya Traffic Lights in Kampala, as newly released crime statistics reveal a sharp rise in targeted cash robberies across the country.
The robbery, which occurred on May 6, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. along Ggaba Road, resurfaced on social media this week after footage of the incident began circulating widely online, sparking public concern over growing urban crime.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the attack involved a group of assailants who targeted two individuals shortly after they had reportedly withdrawn money from a forex bureau.
“The incident involved a group of assailants who attacked two victims before robbing them of cash that had reportedly been withdrawn from a forex bureau,” Owoyesigyire said in a statement.
Police said investigations commenced immediately after the incident was reported.
Officers visited and documented the crime scene, recorded witness statements, reviewed CCTV footage and recovered critical evidence to support ongoing investigations.
“Efforts to identify, trace, and apprehend all the suspects involved are ongoing. We wish to reassure the public that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Owoyesigyire added.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public with information about the suspects to report to the nearest police station or use established police communication channels.
Crime Report Reveals Alarming Trend
The Nsambya robbery has renewed concerns about a growing pattern of organised criminal gangs targeting individuals carrying large sums of money in Kampala.
Official figures released in the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025 paint a troubling picture. While overall robbery cases registered a slight decline of 3.7 percent; from 8,163 cases in 2024 to 7,863 cases in 2025, robberies specifically targeting cash increased dramatically.
According to the report, cash robberies rose by 37.2 percent, increasing from 573 cases in 2024 to 786 cases in 2025.
The statistics further suggest that criminals are increasingly focusing on victims transporting or withdrawing cash from financial institutions, forex bureaus and mobile money outlets. Out of the 786 cash robbery cases recorded last year, only 200 were successfully taken to court, while 514 remain under active investigation.
The figures highlight the challenges law enforcement agencies continue to face in tracking down and prosecuting perpetrators of such crimes.
Kampala Remains Robbery Hotspot
The latest crime data also confirms Kampala as Uganda’s leading robbery hotspot. Within the Kampala Metropolitan Police jurisdiction, KMP North recorded the highest number of robberies nationwide with 1,007 cases.
KMP South, where the Nsambya robbery occurred, registered 779 cases, while KMP East recorded 669 cases. Outside Kampala, the most affected regions included Rwizi with 567 robbery cases and North Kyoga with 429.
Security analysts attribute the concentration of robberies in urban areas to higher cash circulation, population density and the presence of organised criminal networks.
Police statistics further show that aggravated robberies, where criminals use dangerous weapons such as firearms, machetes, knives and hammers, continue to rise. A total of 2,101 aggravated robbery cases were reported in 2025, representing a 6.7 percent increase from the previous year.
Security experts warn that such attacks pose a growing threat to public safety, particularly in major urban centres where criminals often operate in coordinated groups.
The resurfaced Nsambya footage has intensified public pressure on security agencies to dismantle criminal syndicates operating around major intersections and commercial centres in Kampala.
Public Urged to Take Precautions
As investigations continue, security experts are urging the public to exercise caution when carrying large sums of money.
Owoyesigyire advised individuals making substantial cash withdrawals to avoid travelling alone, remain alert to suspicious movements, and, where possible, use digital banking platforms and electronic transfers instead of carrying cash.
Authorities also warn that many robbery victims are deliberately trailed from banks, forex bureaus, and other financial institutions before being attacked at isolated locations or traffic junctions.
Police say further updates regarding arrests and progress in the investigation will be communicated as inquiries continue.
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