Police in Kira Division have arrested a suspect and impounded a taxi believed to have been used in a series of robberies targeting passengers in different parts of the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The suspect, identified as Muwonge Isma, 47, a resident of Kyengera, was arrested on June 12, 2026, after police intercepted the vehicle, registration number UAW 401G, a white taxi that had been linked to multiple robbery complaints.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Rachael Kawala, the arrest followed investigations into a robbery reported by a 20-year-old student and resident of Bulabira.
The victim told police that on the morning of June 11, 2026, he boarded the taxi at Najeera Shell fuel station while travelling to Kampala City Centre. He took a seat in the front passenger section of the vehicle.
‘Upon reaching a certain point, the conductor informed the victim that the door was not properly closed and instructed him to move out of the vehicle. Shortly after getting out, he realized that his Samsung Note 10 mobile phone had been stolen by the occupants of the same vehicle,’ Kawala said.
Police investigations later established that the same taxi had allegedly been involved in another robbery reported on May 27, 2026, at about 7:00 a.m. along the Northern Bypass in Kyebando.
Police said in that incident, a female resident of Bukoto was reportedly robbed of her property, including a mobile phone, by occupants of the vehicle.
As investigations intensified, police officers on June 12, 2026, at around 9:00 a.m., sighted the suspected taxi in the Namugongo area within Kira Division.
Ms Kawala said officers signalled the driver to stop, but he allegedly ignored the orders and sped off, triggering a pursuit.
‘A chase ensued and the vehicle was successfully intercepted along the Northern Bypass before being impounded,’ she said.
The arrest of Muwonge followed a search of the vehicle, during which police recovered a panga and a large stone, items investigators suspect may have been used to intimidate or threaten victims during the robberies.
The recovered items have since been retained as exhibits to support ongoing investigations.
Police believe the arrested suspect may have been operating with other accomplices who are still at large.
Ms Kawala said detectives are working to establish the full extent of the group’s involvement in robberies reported across the Kampala Metropolitan Area and to identify all those connected to the crimes.
She appealed to members of the public who may have encountered the vehicle or fallen victim to similar robberies to come forward and record statements with police.
The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.