One Suspect Killed as Police Thwart Armed Robbery in Kampala

A suspected armed robber was shot dead and several items believed to be stolen were recovered after police patrol officers foiled a robbery in Nakawa Division, Kampala, in the early hours of Monday morning.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala, the incident happened at around 12:50 a.m. in Ssemwogerere Zone when a businessman and his wife were ambushed by three armed men while walking along Mukasa Road.

Police said the suspects, who were armed with a rifle, ordered the couple to stop and lie on the ground. The businessman was reportedly robbed of his mobile phone and wallet at gunpoint.

As the robbers turned their attention to the woman and demanded her phone, motorcycle patrol officers who were conducting routine operations in the area arrived at the scene.

The suspects immediately fled upon spotting the officers, abandoning a bag containing suspected stolen property and a rifle.

Police officers pursued the suspects, leading to an exchange during which one unidentified male suspect, believed to be about 25 years old, was fatally shot. The other suspects managed to escape and are still being hunted by security agencies.

During the operation, police recovered a SAR rifle, a bayonet, four smartphones suspected to have been stolen, two shaving machines, three black jackets, an empty cartridge, a screwdriver, a pair of red canvas shoes, and a black laptop bag.

The body of the deceased suspect was taken to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination as investigations continue.

Police praised the patrol officers for their swift response, saying their intervention not only prevented further harm to the victims but also led to the recovery of exhibits that could help in ongoing investigations.

Authorities have urged members of the public with information about the suspects who escaped to report it to the nearest police station.