Police in Kagadi are on a manhunt for unidentified armed robbers who critically injured a businessman in a late-night attack.
The incident occurred on Saturday around 8:30 p.m. Noor Katusabe, a local businessman, and his wife, identified only as Nsungwa, were targeted as they were returning home from their shop in Kyenzige town Council, Kagadi district.
The couple was travelling in a Canter vehicle with registration number UBM 709N. Upon entering their gate, the assailants ambushed them, brandishing firearms and demanding money.
Katusabe resisted, prompting the robbers to shoot him in the neck, causing critical injuries.
The attackers fled the scene with two bags containing unspecified money from the vehicle, firing gunshots into the air as they escaped.
Katusabe was initially rushed to St. Ambrose Charity Medical Center in Kagadi town.
Due to the severity of his condition, he was later transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialized medical treatment.
Joan Rehema, a resident, reported that the criminals made their escape while firing gunshots as a show of force.
She speculated that the robbers had likely been monitoring Katusabe’s movements prior to the incident.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, revealed that two cartridges were found at the crime scene.
“These cartridges will aid in identifying the type of firearm used during the robbery,” he said. Hakiza also confirmed the dispatch of a team from the flying squad to track down the perpetrators. This incident adds to the increasing number of armed robberies in the Albertine region, causing fear and anxiety among local residents.
Just last week, three armed individuals raided the home of Sarah Kayeny (31) in Butiaba town council, Buliisa district.
Posing as customers interested in buying cassava flour, the robbers, armed with a gun, gained access to Kayeny’s house at 1:30 a.m.
After threatening her with the firearm, they stole 2.5 million Shillings from her before tying her up and fleeing the scene, warning her not to raise the alarm.
In another incident in April, armed robbers critically injured Prisca Kemigisa, a resident of Kyangwali sub-county in Kikuube.
The robbers then targeted a beer depot owned by John Mukonyezi in Ngogoli trading center, Kyangwali parish.
Mukonyezi initially refused to surrender his money, leading the robbers to shoot Kemigisa in the left hand.
They fled the scene, firing gunshots into the air. Kemigisa was rushed to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment for her severe injuries.
Additionally, in late April, police in Hoima City thwarted a robbery and recovered a firearm belonging to the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF).
An unknown suspect attempted to rob a mobile money agent named Eunice on Main Street. Sensing something amiss, Eunice raised an alarm, causing the suspect to flee, leaving behind a bag containing an AK47 rifle (registration number UPDF 767183) wrapped in cloth.
The police arrived promptly, retrieved the firearm, and launched an investigation into the incident.