Fear gripped the quiet streets of Kibumbiro in the early hours of Wednesday morning when a routine boda boda ride spiraled into a chilling attempted robbery that left residents on edge.
Police in Nateete have detained 30-year-old Mwanda Alex, a boda boda rider from Nabbingo Zone in Wakiso District, following the brazen attack that unfolded at around 3:00am in Kibumbiro Zone, Busega Parish, Lubaga Division.
What began as an ordinary hire from Nansana quickly turned into a calculated ambush. According to preliminary investigations, Mwanda allegedly worked with two accomplices who trailed behind on another motorcycle, lurking in the darkness as the unsuspecting rider made his way toward Kibumbiro.
Racheal Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan spokeserson, noted that upon reaching a secluded stretch off the main road, the trap was sprung.
The group reportedly forced the rider to a stop and threatened him with a panga, demanding his motorcycle in a terrifying confrontation that could have ended in tragedy.
But the victim’s quick thinking changed everything. His desperate alarm pierced the silence of the night, drawing the attention of nearby residents and alerting police officers on foot patrol. Within moments, officers swooped in, arresting Mwanda at the scene.
He was allegedly found clutching the very weapon used in the attack, while his accomplices vanished into the darkness.
The hunt is now on for the remaining suspects, as authorities intensify efforts to bring the entire gang to justice. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited concerns over the safety of late-night boda boda operations across Kampala, where riders increasingly find themselves targets of violent crime.
