An angry mob vandalised a Toyota Rumion allegedly used by suspected robbers who snatched Shs11 million from a university student in Lira City on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
The vehicle, registration number UBR 845U, was recovered in Otangula Village, Kole District, after its occupants allegedly abandoned it while fleeing from members of the public who had joined the pursuit.
The incident happened at around 11:00am near Mama Supermarket in Lira City West Division, where the victim, identified as Ogwal Francis, 32, a student at Uganda Martyrs University, Ngetta Campus, was reportedly robbed of the money shortly after withdrawing it from a bank.
According to North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema, preliminary investigations indicate that Francis had been sent by his father, Ogwang Bosco, to withdraw money from the bank.
Francis first withdrew Shs20 million from Stanbic Bank, which was received by his brother, Ojok Amos, before proceeding to KCB Bank, where he withdrew another Shs11 million.
As he approached Mama Supermarket, three unidentified individuals, including a woman travelling in a Toyota Rumion, allegedly emerged from the vehicle and grabbed the Shs11 million before speeding off towards Kampala Road.
In a dramatic turn of events, Francis reportedly pursued the fleeing vehicle, jumped onto its bonnet, smashed the windscreen and held onto it while raising an alarm for assistance.
The pursuit continued towards Kole District, attracting the attention of members of the public who joined the chase. When the vehicle reached Otangula Village, the occupants reportedly abandoned it and fled on foot.
Residents pursued the suspects, eventually apprehending a woman identified as Ninsiima Prisca, 25, who was allegedly found hiding in a bush. She was subsequently handed over to police in Lira City West Division.
Two other male suspects were later arrested in Aboke, Kole District, and detained at Aboke Police Station pending their transfer to Lira City West Division for further investigations.
Okema said the Toyota Rumion was recovered and towed to the police station, but had been vandalised by the angry mob during the incident.
Police officers from Lira City West Division visited and documented the scene under the command of the Divisional Police Commander. Statements were also recorded from relevant witnesses, while the victim was issued with a Police Form 3 (PF3) for medical examination.
However, the Shs11 million had not been recovered by the time police issued the statement.
Police have expressed concern that the robbery could have been facilitated by prior information about the victim’s banking transactions, raising suspicion that someone familiar with the withdrawals may have tipped off the suspects.
“We suspect they might have got information from someone who was aware about the bank transactions,” Okema said, urging members of the public to remain vigilant.
He pledged that police would pursue the investigation to ensure the stolen money is recovered and all suspects are brought to justice.
The case has been registered at Lira City West Division Police as investigations continue.