A sales team from Kombucha Products Ltd was robbed of Shs 5.51 million and other valuables on October 1, 2026, along the Iganga-Kaliro road. The incident occurred at about 5 pm near Kigulu trading centre in Nakalama sub-county, Iganga district. Kenneth Twinamastiko, a 32-year-old salesman, and the company driver, Damulira Waiswa, were travelling in a truck with registration number UA 126DJ after a day of supplying drinks in Bulumba and Buyuge sub-counties.
According to Twinamastiko, the team had made sales worth Shs 5.51 million during the day before they were intercepted on their way back to Iganga. Two men wearing URA reflector jackets stopped their vehicle and asked Waiswa to produce his driving permit and trading licence. Twinamastiko explained that the trading licence was at their manager's office and attempted to contact his supervisor.
However, before the matter could be resolved, three armed men dressed in army-like uniforms surrounded their vehicle and declared them under arrest. The suspects then forced Twinamastiko and Waiswa into an unregistered Toyota Wish and drove them past Iganga central police station towards Mayuge Road. They were later stopped at an isolated spot along the Iganga-Mayuge road.
At the isolated spot, the suspects demanded all the money from the day's sales. They took Shs 5.51 million, a Samsung smartphone, an Itel phone, an ATM card, and Twinamastiko's national identity card. The victims were abandoned on a feeder road about three kilometres away. They were assisted by well-wishers to Iganga central police station, where they reported the incident as aggravated robbery and kidnapping.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed the incident, saying the victims were in good health and had recorded statements with police. Kasadha said police had intensified operations to identify and apprehend the suspects, including snap checks and foot and motorised patrols in areas around Magamaga town council, Nakalama sub-county, Mayuge town council, and Bugiri district.
Kasadha said the latest incident was part of a worrying pattern of highway robberies in which armed suspects allegedly disguise themselves in UPDF-like uniforms to target traders travelling with large amounts of cash. According to Kasadha, police have so far registered four such cases. He said police had previously contained the wave of robberies through investigations and prosecutions.
Kasadha assured members of the business community that police were working to protect their goods and property. He urged traders and suppliers to adopt electronic payment systems and avoid travelling with large amounts of cash, which could make them targets for highway robbers. The police are working to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of traders and their goods.
Key points
- The suspects stole Shs 5.51 million and other valuables from the Kombucha sales team.
- The incident is part of a pattern of highway robberies in which armed suspects target traders travelling with large amounts of cash.
- Police have intensified operations to identify and apprehend the suspects.
