Police in Kampala have launched a manhunt for a gang of thugs who ambushed and robbed two people at the Nsambya traffic lights along Ggaba Road.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on May 6, 2026, at around 11:30am., has sparked widespread public outrage after graphic video footage of the daylight attack resurfaced and went viral on social media on Tuesday, June 9.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the victims were intercepted shortly after withdrawing an undisclosed amount of cash from a local forex bureau.
“The incident involved a group of assailants who attacked two victims before robbing them of cash. Upon receiving the initial report, police immediately commenced investigations,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
He added that detectives from the Kabalagala Police Division have already visited and documented the crime scene, recorded statements from eyewitnesses, and retrieved crucial CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators.
“Efforts to identify, trace, and apprehend all the suspects involved are ongoing. We wish to reassure the public that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mr Owoyesigyire added, urging anyone with information to report to the nearest police station.
According to police data, robberies specifically involving cash shot up drastically by 37.2 percent, rising from 573 cases in 2024 to 786 cases in 2025. Out of the 786 cash robbery cases reported last year, only 200 made it to court, while 514 remain under active inquiry.
Furthermore, violent aggravated robberies-where criminals deploy lethal weapons like firearms, knives, machetes, and hammers-surged by 6.7 percent to 2,101 cases in 2025.
The crime report further cements Kampala’s status as the epicenter of robbery syndicates in Uganda. The Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) jurisdiction registered the highest numbers of total robberies nationwide. KMP North topped the grim statistics with 1,007 cases, followed by KMP South-where the Nsambya attack happened-with 779 cases, and KMP East with 669 cases. Outside the capital, the Rwizi region (567 cases) and North Kyoga (429 cases) were the most affected.
The re-emergence of the Nsambya video has renewed public pressure on the police to dismantle criminal gangs operating at major city intersections. Security experts continue to urge the public to exercise extreme vigilance and utilize digital banking alternatives when moving large financial sums to avoid falling victim to trailing syndicates.