By Eumu Emmanuel
A brazen robbery occurred in Dokolo town when thieves broke into an Agent Banking business, Oscom Uganda, stealing over Shs100 million in cash and equipment. The owner, Oscar Okello, revealed that the incident happened while he was away in Kampala.
Among the stolen items were Shs85 million in cash and equipment used for transactions with prominent banks, including Centenary Bank, DFCU, Post Bank, Stanbic Bank, and Mobile Money Agents. What’s shocking is that a security guard was present at the time of the robbery.
“This is a very unfortunate incident, and we are working closely with the police to bring the culprits to justice,” said Oscar Okello, the business owner.
The District Police Commander, Patience Baganzi, confirmed the incident, stating that three suspects had been arrested with exhibits and investigations were ongoing. “We are taking this incident seriously and are committed to ensuring that the stolen goods are recovered and the suspects are prosecuted,” said Baganzi.
The business community is calling for increased security measures, with the chairperson, Abel Ekol, urging business owners to invest in private security personnel. “We need to take matters into our own hands and ensure that our businesses are secure. The police alone cannot do it,” said Ekol.
Fellow businessman Michael Obwor criticized the lack of responsibility from security personnel and questioned the effectiveness of police dogs trained to identify suspects. “It’s unbelievable that the security guard didn’t notice anything suspicious, and the police dogs didn’t pick up any scent. It’s a clear case of negligence,” said Obwor.
As the investigation continues, the community and authorities must work together to ensure business safety and security in Dokolo. “We urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. We will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents from happening again,” said Baganzi.