Police Bust Panga-Wielding Robbery Gang in Kampala's Makindye

Uganda Police’s Crime Intelligence Directorate has taken down a suspected robbery syndicate operating in Makindye Division, Kampala. The gang, armed with pangas, is believed responsible for a series of attacks on motorists and boda boda riders.

Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that three key suspects—Olwo alias Tom, Latif Bogere alias Musoga, and Ivan Turyahirwa alias Musiramu—have given statements at Katwe police station as probes continue.

The operation began with surveillance on ringleader Olwo, who was nabbed on Mubaraka Road riding motorcycle UMA 979 HA. Initially resistant, he cooperated after being shown CCTV evidence of a botched street robbery.

Investigators revealed the crew trailed victims from banks and mobile money spots, striking in traffic or remote areas. Their hotspots included Makindye, Kizungu (Salaama), Bunga, and Katwe.

Acting on tips from Olwo, officers raided Kapeeke Zone and Kibuye on Wednesday night, netting nine more suspects. The group admitted to robberies like stealing Shs 350,000 from a car in Kizungu and assaults on Salaama Road, often using possibly stolen bikes for escapes while grabbing cash and gadgets.

This bust addresses growing worries over Kampala robberies, such as a recent machete attack on a Centenary Bank client near Nkrumah Road by assailants on 10 motorcycles.

Katwe Division, encompassing Makindye, saw 222 robbery cases in 2025 per police stats—second to Kawempe’s 289. Nationwide, robberies dipped 3.7% to 7,863 cases from 8,163 in 2024, after peaking from 6,854 in 2022.

Source: The Observer (Uganda)