Kampala Metropolitan Police is investigating a robbery incident in which three robbers attempted to steal money amounting to 200 million shillings from a Chinese national along Dewinton road in Kampala city.
This incident happened at around 5 pm and involved three suspects who were traveling on a motorcycle.
The suspects who are believed to have trailed their victim, first assaulted him and tried to grab a bag that was full of cash from him.
The targeted Chinese national has been identified as Cheng Haitoa aged 30, a businessman and resident of Bugolobi Flats in Nakawa Division Kampala District.
According to Police, luck befell the victim because officers and the public who were nearby responded and managed to stop the robbery as quickly as possible.
One suspect identified as Yosam Kiyinji was arrested and detained at Central Police station while his accomplices disappeared in the crowd and are still at large.
He has been charged with aggravated robbery.
KMP deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire said that the suspect was arrested with help from the public and commended them for their actions.
Owoyesigire also said that all the money was recovered and handed back to the owner but warned him about the danger of moving with a lot of hard cash.
“The victim sustained injuries and has been taken for first aid and treatment at Nakasero Hospital. But we advised him to desist from moving with a lot of money which puts his personal security at risk,” Owoywsigire said.
“We impounded motorcycle registration number UFB 295A that was allegedly being ridden by the suspects and it is currently parked at CPS Kampala as an exhibit,” he added.
He further applauded the public for the spirit of community policing when they responded after seeing what was happening.
This is a new wave of crime in Kampala city in the post-covid-19 lockdown era as similar incidents have been reported.
Recently, another Chinese national was robbed of over 70 million shillings in Bugolobi by robbers who were also riding on motorcycles.
In Mutundwe, a mobile money operator was robbed of 5 million shillings by unknown people in a similar manner past curfew hours.
In both incidents, the law enforcement body has not yet arrested any suspects in connection to the robberies.