A suspected thug has been shot dead in Kiwatule following a robbery at a betting company. The incident happened on Thursday at 11:40 pm.
The deceased was allegedly in company with two other men armed with machetes, who posed as clients of Champion Bet Company, before attacking employees, who had instructed all clients to leave, as they were attempting to close.
According to statements recorded at Old Kira Road Police Station by employees of the betting company, the suspects, armed with sharp pangas, threatened the cashiers and stole 2 million shillings and two Samsung M12 smartphones.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said that during the incident, the security guard on duty fled, but a bystander alerted nearby police, who rushed to the scene and confronted the fleeing suspects. One of the suspects was shot and killed.
“The officers attempted to intercept them, but one of the responding officers near Atalemwa Hardware along the Kiwatule-Najjera Road opened fire and one suspect was fatally wounded in the process. But the other two suspects fled in different directions and remain at large.”
Police reported that the deceased suspect, yet to be unidentified, was not a known resident in the area.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information emerges.” Owoyesigyire noted.
Area Councillor Paul Kibirige revealed that the area has witnessed a surge in armed robberies, particularly targeting mobile money shops and betting companies, and emphasized the need for heightened security measures.
“This is the third or fifth robbery attack in less than three to four months in Kiwatule and Ntinda. This area experiences a high level of similar kind of criminality compared to others.
I urge the police to provide adequate security, especially at night. Our nearest police station is in Ntinda, but patrols rarely reach these areas during nighttime hours, emboldening thugs to target our businesses and homes.” Kibirige.
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