Police in Kyenjojo have increased patrols along the Fort Portal-Kampala highway in response to the increase of highway robberies along that route.
George Sabiiti, the Kyenjojo District Police Commander, says the robbers block off the road with large logs at sharp corners, making it hard for motorists to negotiate around them. He says they hold the motorists and their passengers at gunpoint, stealing numerous valuables.
The most recent case took place on February 5th. A gang of robbers staged an illegal roadblock at Kihura Trading Center and ambushed a fuel tanker at about 2:30 a.m. The driver, Baguma Kalifani, was tied with ropes, beaten up and all his money was stolen.
The District Police Commander says the rise in highway robberies is linked to the increasing number of illegal guns in the possession of civilians. He says the most common victims of the robberies are long distance buses and goods trucks that travel at night.
Police in the neighboring district of Kabarole have also increased their deployment on the highway following two armed ambushes at Mpanga Bridge in Kibale National Park.
