By Aggrey Baba
[When the lion roars, the village knows. But when the lion creeps in silence, the whole village is caught off guard]. A surge in kidnappings and armed robberies is now sweeping through Kampala and surrounding districts, leaving citizens in fear and the authorities scrambling for answers.
In the past few weeks, armed gangs have terrorized areas in and around Kampala, particularly in Mukono, Wakiso, and other nearby districts.
These criminals have been tricking unsuspecting victims into boarding seemingly innocent vehicles, only to rob them at gunpoint. Many of the victims are later dumped in isolated areas, stripped of their belongings, and left traumatized.
A recent breakthrough in the case came after the Directorate of Crime Intelligence and the Flying Squad arrested nine suspected gang members. These individuals were allegedly part of a larger criminal network that has been operating in the region for several months.
Police have also seized a significant number of weapons, including military-style rifles, from the suspects during their interrogation.
The gang is known to use a clever trick, where they either lure their victims into unsuspecting vehicles or abduct them from isolated locations. Once in control, they violently rob the victims, often using knives or guns to intimidate and steal.
One victim, a woman abducted while riding a boda boda, recounted how the gang forced her into a car, stole her phone, and emptied her bank account after coercing her to reveal her PIN.
Uganda Police’s Patrick Onyango confirmed that a rigorous investigation is underway and that many more arrests are expected, urging the public to remain vigilant, especially at night, and to report any suspicious activities immediately.
As investigations continue, authorities have discovered that this is not an isolated group but part of a larger network that is also linked to highway robberies.
They have been targeting goods in transit, including valuable items like coffee beans and cocoa, which are stolen and then transported to Kampala for resale.
With a growing number of violent robberies, this wave of crime is leaving the public more fearful than ever before. Citizens are being reminded to take extra precautions and avoid traveling alone, especially at night.
This is a harsh reminder of the old proverb, that [When the hunter is quiet, the prey must be alert]. And as security forces continue their efforts to dismantle these criminal networks, the question remains: how many more lives will be disrupted before this wave of terror is put to an end? (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
