(Kampala) – Uganda Police have warned bus passengers to stay vigilant after a recent string of incidents where a criminal gang allegedly drugged and robbed travelers on commercial buses. Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma reported in his weekly briefing on Monday that four individuals were affected in the past week.
The Uganda Police Force is urging bus passengers to remain vigilant after a new criminal gang was linked to several incidents where passengers were drugged and robbed. Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma confirmed that the gang has been using sedatives to incapacitate victims before stealing their belongings, a method that has been observed repeatedly in the past week.
Two recent cases have raised alarms, with four victims falling prey to this method of theft. The first incident occurred on November 5, 2024, when 24 year old Amon Besikana was drugged on a commercial bus with the registration number UBN 370T. Besikana was robbed of his belongings while he was incapacitated. At the time of reporting, he was still receiving medical treatment, as confirmed by Kituuma during the weekly joint security briefing on November 11, 2024.
The second incident, which took place on November 6, 2024, involved three additional passengers aboard a Jaguar bus, registration number UBN 260T, traveling from Kampala to Kigali. The victims were drugged around 5:00 pm, and their phones, cash, and valuables were stolen. These passengers were later transported to Kabale Referral Hospital, where they were treated for their condition.
In response to the growing concern, Kituuma stated that police have engaged with bus company management to address the issue. He urged passengers to be cautious, particularly when accepting food and drinks from unknown sources, as many criminals use sedatives hidden in food or beverages to drug their victims.
The police spokesperson emphasized the importance of remaining alert during long-distance trips and being mindful of the risks posed by such criminal activities.
