The flying kick gangsters of Kampala alarm residents

Police officers in Uganda are monitoring a new breed of gangsters said to be sweeping through the streets of Kampala and Wakiso districts.

The thugs, as opposed to their Kenyan counterparts who are known to choke and strangle before robbing, instead give their victims flying kicks.

One such thug was caught on video recently trailing his target – a Mozambican national - at around 8pm in the Munyonyo area of Kampala.

The gangster, in the video, carefully follows his victim down a slightly busy road while bidding his time, and as soon as vehicles stop passing by and the Coast is clear, gives the man a flying kick on the face, sending him to the ground helplessly.

He then proceeds to rob the foreigner at his own pace before eventually escaping the scene.

In yet another video, a man is seen kicking the face of a woman walking down the streets while holding a bag.

As the woman goes sprawling to the ground, the thug and his accomplice approach and make away with her belongings after another woman that was walking besides the victim fled.

Similar violent robberies have been reported in various areas across the neighbouring country’s capital, prompting the police to swing to action.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango has since said the thug who robbed the Mozambican national in Munyonyo has already been arrested.

According to Mr. Onyango, the incident who was captured on police CCTV cameras at least two weeks ago.

“The suspect who kicked and robbed a native of Mozambique in Munyonyo, that’s Wava Close, has been arrested by our team of flying squad and crime intelligence,” he told the Daily Monitor publication.

Other area residents have also reported to the police incidents of being clobbered on the head by thugs using pavers, which has led to at least one of them succumbing to injuries sustained.

Mr. Onyango however sought to quell any tension saying despite the incidents being few and spread out, police officers are on alert and many suspects have already been arrested and charged in court.

😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/4D4WlZSFOA pic.twitter.com/unXpxGq763— Limo (@Limorio_) May 20, 2024