By Robert Segawa
As the Christmas season approaches, the police have issued a warning about a disturbing trend of criminal activity targeting passengers on long-distance buses. Unknown suspects are reportedly drugging passengers with substances such as chloroform mixed in food and drinks, rendering them unconscious before robbing them of their belongings.
Kituuma Rusoke, the Police Spokesperson, revealed that this criminal behavior has been notably observed in buses operated by Jaguar Bus Company. Two separate incidents were reported on November 5th and 6th, where victims were drugged and robbed while traveling on Jaguar buses.
In one case, a passenger named Among Vaskara was drugged on a Jaguar bus, registration number UBN 307T. In another incident, three passengers traveling from Kampala to Kigali, Rwanda on bus number UBN 260T were similarly drugged and had their valuables, including mobile phones, cash, and important documents, stolen.
“These suspects often pose as friendly fellow passengers, offering food or drinks to others on the bus,” Rusoke explained. “Once the passengers consume the tainted items, they fall unconscious, and their belongings are stolen during the night or while they’re unaware.”
The police are currently in talks with Jaguar Bus Company management and other long-distance bus operators to address this troubling trend and improve passenger safety. Rusoke advised travelers to remain vigilant, urging them not to accept food or drink from strangers during their journey, especially on long-distance routes.
“We want to remind passengers to be cautious and avoid engaging with strangers offering food or drinks. These criminals are targeting travelers who are unfamiliar with the risks, and we urge everyone to keep their valuables secure and within sight at all times,” he cautioned.
With the festive season bringing increased travel, the police are stepping up efforts to curb this alarming trend, and officials are calling on bus companies to enhance their security measures to protect passengers from these dangerous criminals.
