By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
BUGIRI
Police in Bugiri on Thursday 5th November 2026 arrested two suspects in connection with the robbery of KSH 6,650,000/-, equivalent to Shs208,000,000 from a Somali businessman.
The suspects have been identified as Emuron Richard, a resident of Nkusi Cell, Bugiri Municipality and Tukei John, a resident of Nakavule, Iganga District.
Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Kasadha Michael said preliminary findings indicate that on 03rd November 2026, the suspects deceived the victim, Isaac Mohammed, a 55-year-old Somali businessman from Malaba that they had genuine US Dollars to exchange for Kenya Shillings.
“They lured him to Malaba Border, allegedly administered to him an unknown substance that made him unconscious, before robbing him of his cash,” said ASP Kasadha.
On 05th November 2026, the same suspects contacted the victim again using different telephone numbers with the same trick and lured him to Total Petrol Station, Bugiri and later to Nawanduki Village along Busowa – Buwunga Road.
Upon arrival, the victim identified them as the same persons who robbed him. He raised an alarm which attracted members of the public and boda boda riders. The suspects were intercepted at Buliwaigulu Village, Bubugo Parish, Buwunga Sub County.
Police from Buwunga Police Station and CPS Bugiri responded in time and rescued the suspects from mob action. They are currently admitted at Bugiri District Hospital under police guard undergoing treatment.
A motorcycle Reg. No. UMA 924AM, Bajaj Boxer, Red in colour, used in the commission of the crime has been impounded at CPS Bugiri.
Police has registered at least three similar cases of fake dollars and theft at Total Bugiri, suspected to have been committed by the same group. Investigations are ongoing to recover the bag containing fake dollars which the suspects allegedly threw away during the chase, and to arrest other suspects still at large.
Police strongly condemned mob justice and cautioned the public, especially businessmen, to beware of fraudsters who promise to exchange US Dollars and other currencies at cheap rates with a call to always transact in licensed Forex Bureaus and Banks, and report any suspicious persons to the nearest Police Station.
The suspects will be charged with robbery and related offences upon recovery and completion of investigations.
