In Arua, Uganda, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and Internal Security Organization (ISO) have teamed up with the police Flying Squad Unit (FSU) to locate and apprehend the individuals responsible for a recent gold robbery estimated to be worth Sh2.5 billion. The stolen gold, consisting of eight packets, belonged to Bullion Refinery (U) Ltd, a company based in Arua City.
The robbery occurred three days ago, when a group of criminals, traveling in a Toyota Hiace, ambushed a Toyota Wish with registration number UBE 139G that was transporting the valuable gold. The incident unfolded at Nseke trading center, situated in Ngogolo parish, Butuuntula sub-county, around midnight.
Following the incident, the victims promptly sought help at the Savannah regional police headquarters in Luweero, where they filed a case. Luweero police, in response, swiftly contacted the Flying Squad Unit (FSU), which has now enlisted the support of both CMI and ISO to track the movements of the suspected robbers.
A joint statement from the security agencies, conveyed by Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, affirms the collective commitment of the military and police organizations to ensure the apprehension of the robbers and the recovery of the stolen gold.
According to the accounts provided by the victims, the armed robbers not only made off with the gold but also confiscated their mobile phones and 90,000 shillings in cash.
One employee of Bullion Refinery (U) Ltd stated, “We were intercepted at Nseke trading center by armed thugs traveling in a Toyota Hiace, numbering five in total. It appears they were well-informed about our movements and ambushed us at a location where we had limited options.”
Enanga elaborated that the employees were en route to Kampala when they were intercepted by the robbers in a Toyota Hiace. “The employees were forcibly restrained, blindfolded with head coverings, and transported to Kungu village in Wobulenzi town council. They were subsequently left there with their vehicle,” he explained.
Some of the robbers managed to escape the scene with the stolen gold, using a motorcycle for their getaway. Authorities have noted that the thieves exploited the nighttime movement of Bullion Refinery (U) Ltd, and based on prior incidents involving gold theft in Luweero with suspected employee involvement, security agencies are also considering the possibility of an inside connection.
