As the crime of armed robbery and assassinating people with the use of guns and boda bodas is becoming a trend in Uganda, the community’s alertness has also intensified.

The robberies are characterized by criminals disguising themselves as boda boda riders and passengers, murdering and stealing bags from gullible pedestrians, travelers, and road users.

During the week of Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at around 20:36 hours on Mamerito Road in Kito, Kira municipality, four suspected criminals riding on two motorcycles robbed a mobile money agent (name withheld) on her way home.

A business lady operating a mobile money shop in Kito was attacked around Aspire Medical Centre, a few meters from her area of operation, when the thieves crossed in front of the motorcycle she was traveling on.

Boda boda riders were able to trail them with the help of residents, who were later captured and taken to the area police. Money worth Ugx 3 million out of around Ugx 12 million that was stolen was recovered.

Recently, President Museveni rewarded a brave man identified as Abdul Katabaazi (a plumber and boda boda rider), who, with the help of other boda boda riders, pursued and intercepted the assailants involved in the assassination of the Ndiga clan leader, Engineer Daniel Bbosa, on February 25, 2024, near his home in Lungujja, Rubaga.

This was an awakening call for citizens, who, of late, have gained the same courage to seize criminals.

Preliminary information related to the robbery in Kira indicates that the victim made an alarm, which attracted boda boda riders and other natives who pursued the suspected criminals up to Stonebridge International School in Nsasa, Kira, where they were captured with the help of the police officers manning the school.

According to an eyewitness who preferred anonymity, the two motorcycles that the robbers were traveling on were recovered and are currently being parked at Kira police station. The witness added that the money recovered was being plucked off the bodies of the robbers, who had used gum to glue them.

“The mobile money lady was robbed around 8:30 p.m. when she had just approached the hospital. Two motorcycles approached her, and one that was carrying three men crossed in front of the one she was on. One of the thieves slapped her, and she fell down. Then they took a bag from her. However, she made an alarm that alerted boda boda riders who ran after them and were able to get two from Stone-bridge International School, with the help of the police,” the eyewitness revealed.

However, at the time of reporting, obtaining a comment from the police has not been successful, as the officers responsible were attending several meetings at the station.

During the festive season, police and sister security agencies urged the public to be more vigilant following targeted attacks on mobile money dealers, traders, village saving groups, SACCOs, motor vehicles, and cattle, among others.