Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | In another notable case of robbery in Kampala, a Chinese national, He Wei, fell victim to assailants on Ssezibwa Road in Kololo, being robbed of $190,000 (approximately Shs 718 million) by a boda boda-riding gang. The incident, which occurred three days ago, was reported by Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Erasmus Matsiko.
According to Matsiko’s report, Wei engaged a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) to transport the money from his residence along Ssezibwa Road at around 1 pm on Thursday 16, November, 2023. Unfortunately, en route, Wei was intercepted by five assailants on motorcycles who forcibly seized his bag containing the money before fleeing the scene.
Remarkably, even the boda-boda rider Wei had hired to facilitate the collection of the money reportedly joined the gang of attackers. Matsiko, in the report, stated, “He was robbed by thugs on motorcycles, but they did not hurt him. To his surprise, even the boda-boda rider he had hired to take him to his home where he collected the money joined the gang of other riders. They drove off after grabbing his bag containing money.”
Wei recounted the unexpected attack, expressing disappointment that the boda-boda rider he hired sided with the assailants and left him stranded. This incident follows closely on the heels of another robbery targeting Lee Shao, a Chinese national who lost Shs 200 million in an attack on Wilson Road. Despite Shao’s attempt to defend himself by firing at the fleeing assailants, he did not manage to apprehend them.
Also Read: Chinese national robbed Shs 200m by boda boda gang in Kampala
As investigations into Wei’s case unfold, no arrests have been made yet. Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, mentioned that he is yet to receive a briefing on the incident. Police reports indicate a review of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage to trace the direction taken by Wei’s robbers, with suspicions raised about the possible involvement of the boda-boda used by Wei in the crime.
The case of Wei’s robbery has been officially recorded at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) under CRB 2199/2023. Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, cautioned against carrying substantial sums of money without adequate security, especially for foreigners.
This incident brings to mind the tragic case of Ito Okira, a Japanese national who lost his life in a robbery in Kampala last September. Okira succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack, and the perpetrators are currently remanded at Luzira Maximum Prison, facing amended charges, including murder, following Okira’s tragic demise.
