Police in Kakumiro District are investigating a shocking robbery where a businessman was shot and injured, with his wife now under arrest over possible links to the attack.
The victim, 45-year-old Jackson Tumwebazi, was ambushed on Monday night at around 9 p.m. while returning home with his wife, Ruth Ainembabazi. The attack occurred in Rusolera village, Rwembuba parish, Kijangi sub-county.
According to reports, three armed men emerged from nearby bushes and stopped the couple, demanding a bag that was believed to contain money. When Tumwebazi refused to hand it over, one of the attackers shot him in the leg. The robbers then took the bag and fled the scene while firing shots into the air to scare away anyone nearby.
Locals who heard the gunshots rushed to the scene and called the police. Tumwebazi, who was seriously injured, told investigators that he believed the attackers had been waiting in hiding for their arrival.
Julius Hakiza, the spokesperson for the Albertine Region police, confirmed that Ainembabazi has been taken into custody at Kakumiro Central Police Station to help with ongoing investigations. Detectives suspect that the robbery may have been planned with inside help.
Police recovered two cartridges from the crime scene and have opened a case of aggravated robbery. Investigators are now trying to determine whether Ainembabazi played a role in setting up the attack on her husband.
This incident follows a similar armed robbery that happened in April 2023 in Kikuube District, where a businessman’s wife was shot by robbers who made off with money after storming a beer depot.
Investigations into the Kakumiro incident are still ongoing.