KYOTERA, Uganda — Ugandan police on Tuesday night confirmed they successfully foiled an aggravated robbery in Kyotera, where five armed assailants attacked a coffee factory manager and stole UGX 50 million. The incident, detailed in a police statement released Tuesday night, occurred at the Mazima Bugaga Coffee Factory.
Armed suspects, traveling on a motorcycle, ambushed the manager in what appears to have been a targeted robbery.
Authorities swiftly launched a pursuit, intercepting the suspects at Kizigo Village as they attempted to flee towards Masaka. During the confrontation, one of the robbers, identified as Lawrence Ssenyuumu, was fatally shot.
Four other assailants managed to escape, prompting an intense manhunt now underway. From the scene, police recovered two firearms and a motorcycle registration number UFV 988N believed to have been used in the robbery, along with other crucial exhibits for the ongoing investigation.
“This operation underscores our commitment to disrupting violent criminal networks and recovering stolen assets,” the statement read, adding, “Our teams are actively tracking the remaining suspects.”
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The Kyotera robbery contributes to a concerning pattern of armed robberies across Uganda. According to national police crime statistics for 2024, the country recorded 8,263 cases of robbery, with 1,105 of these classified as aggravated robberies involving lethal weapons.
The Greater Masaka region, which encompasses Kyotera, has particularly experienced a surge in organized theft and violent crimes in recent months, leading to heightened surveillance and patrol operations by security forces.
Police have urged the public to maintain vigilance and report any suspicious individuals or activities that could aid in the apprehension of the remaining suspects.
