Police in Mubende District have launched a manhunt for a gang of suspected thieves who broke into a businessman’s vehicle and stole UGX 100 million shortly after the money had been withdrawn from a bank.
The robbery occurred on May 21, 2026, at around 5:00pm in Kalonga Trading Centre, Kalonga Sub-county.
According to Wamala Regional Police spokesperson, ASP Lameck Kigozi, the suspects were travelling in a white Toyota Premio, registration number UAP 811H. The group allegedly targeted a Toyota Rumion, registration number UBR 308A, and made away with a laptop bag containing the cash belonging to Robert Muyanja, a prominent businessman in the area.
Police reports indicate that Muyanja had earlier sent his brother-in-law, Denis Ssebuliba, to withdraw the money from Centenary Bank’s Mubende branch.
After collecting the cash, Ssebuliba reportedly placed it in a laptop bag and drove back to Kalonga Trading Centre, unaware that he was allegedly being followed by the suspects.
Upon arrival, he parked outside his sister’s shop before briefly stepping away. However, when he returned moments later, he found the vehicle had been broken into and the money stolen.
Kigozi said police officers responded immediately and used the victim’s vehicle to pursue the suspects towards Kitenga Village.
“As the pursuit intensified, the suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot. One suspect escaped with the laptop bag, while another carried a white sack containing three different number plates believed to have been intended for use in evading detection,” Kigozi said.
During the chase, the suspects reportedly dropped a bag containing UGX 50 million, as well as the sack carrying the suspected fake number plates, before disappearing into an unknown location.
Police recovered the abandoned Toyota Premio, the UGX 50 million in cash, and the three suspected fake number plates. Statements from witnesses and victims have since been recorded as investigations continue.
Authorities say efforts to trace and arrest the suspects are ongoing.
Police have also warned members of the public to remain vigilant after withdrawing large sums of money from banks, noting that criminals often disguise themselves as ordinary customers inside banking halls to identify and trail potential targets.
A similar incident was reported in 2022 when thieves broke into the vehicle of the director of Emmaus Centre, a Catholic Church training facility in Luwero District, and stole UGX 22 million shortly after it had been withdrawn from Centenary Bank in Wobulenzi. Police later used CCTV footage to track down and arrest the suspects in Wakiso District.
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