The territorial police of Arua city are investigating a robbery in which a prominent businessman identified as Mohammed Abiriga, the proprietor of Abiriga and Sons Enterprises along Rhino Camp road, was robbed at gunpoint on Monday evening.
The victim, who had left his shop with two female coworkers, was robbed of shillings 50 million at the Air Japan trading centre around 8:10 p.m.
According to police, the victim left his workplace on Rhino Camp road at 8:00 p.m. with two female coworkers, carrying approximately shillings 50 million in a backpack bag, to return home in Tanganyika central, Ayivu East Division, Arua City, in a motor vehicle with the registration number UBB 764S Carib, Silver in colour.
It is said that before reaching Air Japan trading centre, he dropped off one of his workmates and proceeded with another up to Air Japan where he stopped at the shop of his mother to pick her along to home.
“Immediately after opening the driver's door, two men on a numberless Bajaj motorcycle arrived and opened the co driver's door where the bag containing the money was placed and removed it,” said Josephine Angucia, the West Nile police regional spokesperson said.
“Upon seeing what was happening, he tried to struggle with the men but then the one who was armed started shooting at him as they were escaping and they abandoned their motorbike at the scene,” added.
The gunmen shot six times as they escaped towards Madi cell injuring Abiriga, but he was immediately rushed to Arua regional referral hospital, where he is still being treated.
Angucia told this website that when police were notified, they rushed to the scene and recovered four cartridges before police and UPDF soldiers began searching for gunmen.
She however cautioned the public especially businessmen not to move with large amounts of cash on their person as this increases the risk of being robbed.
“There is need for security consciousness and vigilance amongst the business operators not to follow the same routine of movement as criminals can easily plan to rob them. We also advise the community members to do neighborhood watch and inform the security team on those possessing illegal guns such that operations can be mounted to remove them out of the communities,” she said.
