news 8 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Highway Robbery: Kampala-Bound Taxi Hijacked by Imposter Passengers, Recovered in Soroti
Armed robbers disguised as passengers hijacked a Kampala-bound taxi on the Mbale-Tirinyi highway, robbing occupants before abandoning them and fleeing with the vehicle. The taxi was later recovered in Soroti City. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/highway-terror-armed-robbers-disguised-as-passengers-hijack-kampala-bound-taxi-vehicle-recovered-in-soroti-5488806
Authorities in Budaka District are investigating a brazen act of highway robbery that occurred in the early hours of Monday, June 8, 2026. A Toyota Hiace taxi, registration UBK 775H, en route to Kampala from Mbale City, became the target of a criminal gang.
According to police reports, the hijacking took place around 2 am to 3 am along the Mbale–Tirinyi highway, a known trouble spot for criminal activity. The perpetrators, who had boarded the taxi as ordinary passengers, revealed their intentions when one of them, seated in the co-driver’s seat, brandished a firearm and ordered everyone to the floor.
Victims were subjected to a terrifying ordeal as the assailants, including two accomplices, forcibly took their cash, mobile phones, and other valuables. The driver was subsequently forced out of the controls at Sekulo Parish, and all passengers were left stranded by the roadside as the robbers escaped with the taxi.
A case of aggravated robbery has been registered, and police teams have processed the crime scene for evidence. In a swift development, the stolen vehicle was located over 100 kilometers away in Soroti City within hours. Police have confirmed the recovery and stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects.
This incident highlights a concerning trend of highway crime where criminals infiltrate public transport. Police continue to warn taxi operators against picking up passengers at unauthorized locations, especially during late-night hours, and emphasize the importance of passenger identification logs to enhance security on the roads. The Mbale-Tirinyi and Mbale-Iganga routes have historically been flagged as high-risk areas for such ambushes.