Panic gripped Gganda Village in Wakiso District on Tuesday night after a dramatic armed robbery unfolded in the Central zone, leaving a local mobile money agent injured and residents shaken.
The victim, 37-year-old Jonan Ahimbisibwe, was attacked by a gang of masked men as he arrived home around 8pm in his Toyota Harrier, registration SSD 763 CM.
According to witnesses, the attackers struck just as Jonnan was opening his gate, firing bullets in the air and creating chaos before looting him of about Shs 50 million in cash.
“I heard a loud bang and then saw a flash. It all happened so quickly,” recalled Harriet Kamwine, a neighbour who was seated on her porch when the ambush occurred.
“Before I knew it, their motorcycles were blocking the road, and they surrounded Ahimbisibwe’s car.”
The robbers reportedly used pepper spray to incapacitate Jonnan, then forced open the vehicle doors and emptied it of all valuables, including the cash he had reportedly withdrawn for business purposes.
Witnesses described the attackers as highly coordinated, suggesting prior knowledge of the victim’s movements and schedule.
“They knew exactly what they were doing. It was organised, and they acted quickly,” said John Kamugisha, who observed the attack from a nearby corridor.
“It was like they were trained for this.”
Fifteen motorcycles were said to have been used in the robbery, with riders positioned to secure all possible escape routes before the group vanished into the night.
The entire operation lasted less than ten minutes, according to residents, yet its impact on the community was immediate and profound.
As law enforcement rushed to the scene with blaring sirens, neighbours scrambled to assist the injured Jonnan, who was later treated for the effects of the pepper spray and shock at Kisaakye Medical Centre.
“We tried to help him as best as we could. He was in pain and deeply shaken,” said Victor Moses, a medical worker who administered first aid.
The robbery has sparked widespread fear and soul-searching in Gganda, a close-knit community previously regarded as safe and quiet.
Shopkeepers, parents, and boda boda riders alike expressed disbelief and anxiety over the incident.
“I never thought something like this could happen here,” said a local vendor. “Now, we are all scared. We don’t know who’s next.”
In the wake of the attack, community leaders have begun organising emergency meetings to address security concerns.
Some residents are considering hiring private guards or installing CCTV cameras.
“We need to be more vigilant,” urged Christopher Muyimbwa, the village defence secretary. “Our strength has always been in looking out for one another. This is a wake-up call.”
Muyimbwa and other local officials worked closely with police investigators who cordoned off the crime scene, interviewed witnesses, and began canvassing the area for surveillance footage that might reveal the suspects’ faces or movements.
“We take incidents like this very seriously,” a police spokesperson told reporters. “Our officers are following all leads, and we encourage anyone with information to report it. These criminals will be brought to justice.”
Police also pledged to step up patrols and engage directly with residents in the coming weeks as part of a broader effort to restore calm and deter future incidents.
The brazen attack in Gganda comes amid rising reports of violent crime across Wakiso District. Experts have pointed to a combination of factors—including unemployment, inadequate community policing, and economic stress—as underlying causes.
“It’s essential to understand the roots of crime,” said a local sociologist who studies urban violence. “When young people are unemployed and see few prospects for advancement, some may turn to desperate and dangerous means.”
For now, Gganda’s residents are grappling with a new reality. A community once known for evening street chatter and children’s games must now reckon with fear, vigilance, and a collective demand for justice.