Kitgum Wholesale Shop Targeted in Daring Shs 10 Million Robbery

Kitgum District is grappling with a significant armed robbery incident after four assailants targeted a wholesale shop in Omiya Anyima sub-county on Tuesday evening. The perpetrators reportedly stormed the premises around 8 pm, making off with a substantial sum exceeding Shs 10 million in cash.

According to Geoffrey Oguti, the assistant resident district commissioner (RDC) for Kitgum, the attackers exhibited a high degree of coordination. Preliminary investigations, including the review of CCTV footage, indicate that at least two of the robbers were armed; one brandished an AK-47 rifle, while another carried a panga (machete).

“The footage shows four individuals involved in the robbery. One was carrying an AK-47, and another had a panga. They managed to steal over Shs 10 million before fleeing,” Oguti stated, emphasizing the brazen nature of the crime which occurred before security agencies could respond.

In response to the incident, a joint security team comprising personnel from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has been deployed to the area. Their mission is to pursue the suspects and avert any further criminal activities.

Authorities are urging the local community to exercise vigilance and actively cooperate with security agencies. “We urge the community to be alert and report any suspicious individuals or activities to the police. Public cooperation is critical in helping security agencies track down the criminals,” Oguti appealed.

This robbery occurs amidst broader concerns about escalating armed crime in parts of northern Uganda, prompting security forces to heighten surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations across the region.

Details surrounding the incident are still being compiled by the Aswa East River region police spokesperson, Joe Oloya, with a comprehensive report expected upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

This story was reported by The Observer (Uganda).