Police in Uganda’s capital Kampala have arrested five men allegedly connected to a string of violent robberies across the Kampala metropolitan region after authorities disrupted what investigators say was a carefully planned attack targeting a mobile money transaction.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police South, the operation unfolded on the morning of May 15, 2026, after intelligence officers received information about a suspected robbery plot in Wandegeya, a densely populated commercial area in Kampala. Investigators say the group intended to intercept a victim who was expected to transport a bag of cash collected from Kalerwe, in Kawempe Division, before depositing the money with a banking agent in Wandegeya.
Police allege the suspects planned to strike during the transfer, exploiting the vulnerability of cash-handling operations that have become increasingly common targets for organized criminal gangs in East African cities.
Authorities said officers moved quickly after receiving the tip-off, launching an operation that resulted in the arrest of five suspects before the alleged robbery could take place. Two motorcycles believed to have been intended for use in the operation were also seized.
The motorcycles bore registration numbers UGG 664A and UMA 567JW.
Among those arrested is Ivan Gizamba, whom investigators describe as a key suspect allegedly linked to several high-profile aggravated robberies across the Kampala metropolitan area.
Racheal Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, said he is being investigated in connection with previous attacks at Kitezi Hardware Shop in Wakiso District, Gwanda Mall, and a robbery involving Centenary Bank in Kampala.
The other suspects were identified as Rogers Muyingo, Ashford Juma, Musa Masiga, and James Wanyama.
The arrests come amid heightened concern over organized urban robbery networks targeting businesses, financial agents, and mobile money operators in Uganda’s rapidly expanding capital. Mobile money services, widely used across the country for everyday banking transactions, have increasingly become flashpoints for criminal activity due to the movement of large amounts of cash outside traditional banking systems.
Kawala said investigations remain ongoing and that authorities are pursuing additional suspects believed to be connected to the wider criminal network.
No injuries were reported during the police operation.
