Police probe attempted break-in at Stanbic Bank Kiboga Branch

Police in Kiboga District are investigating an attempted robbery at Stanbic Bank’s Kiboga branch, where unidentified suspects allegedly gained entry by cutting through the roof.

According to Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, Mishael Turiyeitu, the break-in occurred under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday and appears to have been meticulously planned. However, the suspects’ effort to access cash was thwarted by the bank’s internal alarm system, which was triggered shortly after they entered the premises.

“Police in Kiboga have launched a probe into a case of attempted robbery at Stanbic Bank. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects used the roof to gain access, but they failed to steal any money because the alarm went off,” said Turiyeitu.

The bank is guarded by SGA Security, and police say an individual — yet to be identified — approached the guards prior to the incident and offered them food allegedly laced with a sedative substance suspected to contain coliform bacteria. The contaminated food incapacitated the guards, enabling the intruders to carry out the attempted heist without immediate resistance.

“We suspect the food was drugged, which made the guards fall asleep. This created an opportunity for the break-in attempt,” Turiyeitu explained.

So far, no arrests have been made, but investigations are ongoing.

This incident comes amid a worrying increase in bank robberies and attempted heists across Uganda in recent months. Just weeks earlier, armed robbers made off with an undisclosed amount of money from a Centenary Bank branch in Luwero District after disarming private security personnel. Similarly, a DFCU Bank branch in Mityana was targeted in May, where suspects drilled into the vault overnight — though, like in Kiboga, the alarm system disrupted the theft.

The Uganda Police Force has since warned financial institutions to reassess their security protocols, particularly those related to night-time surveillance, response systems, and vetting of private security firms. Several banks are reportedly upgrading CCTV systems and alarm infrastructure, while others are considering deploying armed police instead of private security guards in high-risk branches.

The Bank of Uganda has also issued guidance urging commercial banks to report any suspicious activities near branches and to strengthen coordination with regional police commands.

As investigations into the Kiboga incident continue, police have called on the public to report any suspicious individuals or movements around financial institutions.

“We urge communities to be vigilant. Anyone with information that could help identify the suspects should come forward,” Turiyeitu added.