Police in Mukono District have launched a manhunt for armed attackers who raided a fuel station overnight, injuring two security personnel and stealing a firearm and cash in what officials describe as a “violent and targeted robbery.”
The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday when unidentified assailants stormed the station, subdued guards on duty and escaped with a gun belonging to a private security officer and approximately Shs350,000 collected from fuel sales.
The injured victims were identified as Patrick Aliki, a security guard attached to Ultimate Security Ltd, and Brian Sentubwe, a pump attendant. Both were injured during the attack and are currently receiving medical attention.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the attackers operated in a coordinated group and used force to quickly overwhelm the guards before accessing the station’s cash point.
Mukono District Police spokesperson ASP Hellen Butoto confirmed the incident, saying investigations are ongoing and security teams are pursuing several leads.
“We are treating this as an armed robbery involving the theft of a firearm. A manhunt is underway and we urge the public to share any information that may assist in identifying the suspects,” ASP Butoto said.
Eyewitnesses described the raid as swift and alarming. One witness, Rasuud Bazibu, said the attackers gave the victims no chance to react.
“They came suddenly and overpowered the guards immediately. Everything happened very fast,” he said.
Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Directorate and forensic units visited the scene, collecting evidence and reviewing possible surveillance footage as part of efforts to reconstruct the attack and identify the suspects.
The theft of a firearm has heightened concern among security agencies, who warn that stolen guns often reappear in subsequent violent crimes, making their recovery a top priority.
Mukono District has in recent years experienced a series of similar fuel station robberies, with security experts attributing the trend to cash handling, limited nighttime staffing, and predictable operating patterns that make such facilities vulnerable.
Police have assured residents and business owners that operations are ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the stolen weapon as investigations continue.
