Gunfire Rocks Kiwatule

KAMPALA, UGANDA — Gunfire rang out in Kiwatule, a Kampala suburb, on Tuesday night as police responded to a spate of aggravated robberies targeting residents in Nakawa Division, authorities said.

According to a statement from the Kampala Metropolitan Police, three robberies were reported on January 6 in Nsimbiziwome and Kigowa One, Bukoto Two Parish, prompting a coordinated operation by officers from Ntinda and Kiwatule police stations.

The first incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. in Nsimbiziwome, where a teacher, identified as Kasasa Patrick, was attacked by suspects riding motorcycles and robbed of electronics including a Samsung Galaxy phone, a Chromebook, a Dell laptop and a Galaxy tablet, valued at about UGX 4 million, police said.

Roughly 50 minutes later, two more robberies were reported along Valley Road in Kigowa. A businesswoman, Namaganda Shadia, lost an iPhone 11 Pro Max, an Itel feature phone, her national ID and cash worth about UGX 3.5 million, while a driver, Musobya Bosco, was robbed of a Samsung Galaxy phone, identification documents and cash valued at about UGX 420,000.

Robbery incidents have been on the rise nationally, reflecting a broader security challenge for law enforcement. According to the Uganda Police Force’s Annual Crime Report 2024, a total of 8,163 robbery cases were recorded countrywide in 2024 — up about 5 percent from 7,772 cases in 2023 — underlining a growing trend in violent property crime that authorities are striving to address.



Police said officers quickly visited and documented the crime scenes before launching a pursuit along the Northern Bypass following alerts from members of the public.

During the operation, gunfire was heard as officers intercepted a suspect who allegedly attempted to attack them with a machete.

“One suspect, Joseph Wataba, was intercepted and neutralised after attempting to assault officers with a panga,” said Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy public relations officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police.

The suspect was arrested and taken to Mulago Hospital for medical attention pending prosecution.

Police recovered a motorcycle bearing registration number UMA 582HF, a panga and a Galaxy tablet linked to the robberies.

Other suspects fled the scene, and investigations are continuing to track them down and recover additional stolen property.

Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as patrols in the area are stepped up.