CRIME: 4 Guns Involved in 12 Murders, 30 Robberies Recovered

Ugandan police have recovered four submachine guns (SMGs) linked to 30 aggravated robberies and 12 murders in the Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMP), authorities announced today, Tuesday.

The recovery, detailed in a statement by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Christopher Damulira, Director of Crime Intelligence, comes as a response to recent reports highlighting a surge in criminal activities.

Damulira, via a post on X (formerly Twitter), refuted claims that crime has overwhelmed the city.

“It is not true that crime has taken over! Certainly it hasn’t,” he asserted. He acknowledged public complaints about muggings at traffic junctions, murders, and break-ins but emphasized ongoing progress.

The four SMGs were seized between January 20 and 24, 2026, alongside the arrest of nine suspects.

A forensic report received on February 16 confirmed the weapons’ involvement in 30 robberies from June 2025 to January 2026.

“It doesn’t surprise me that since these recoveries were made, KMP has not registered a single gun-related incident,” Damulira noted.

The suspects have confessed to 12 murders, including that of Officer Commanding (OC) Ntawo, and are being processed for court.

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This operation is part of intelligence-led efforts across territorial commands.

On Monday alone Kira Division arrested 130 suspects, Nsangi Division 32, and Kira Road 16, with Crime Intelligence, CID, and forensic teams screening them for charges.

Damulira highlighted resolutions in high-profile cases: the murder of Uganda Christian University (UCU) student Pamela, where the suspect was apprehended with exhibits a day after a vigil assurance; the double murder in a Lungujja hotel, with the key suspect arrested and a stolen car recovered; and the assault on TikToker Skyz, where the perpetrator was charged.

Measures to curb muggings in traffic jams are being implemented nationwide, alongside the Subcounty Policing Model to protect rural assets like coffee and produce under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

The AIGP attributed some crime drivers to poverty and unemployment, calling for a whole-of-government approach.

“We continue to address the challenges to ensure that this concept works for everyone,” he said, urging media collaboration for public awareness.

With over 200 arrests signaling intensified crackdowns, residents hope for lasting peace.

As Kampala grapples with these hotspots, the recoveries offer a glimmer of hope, potentially deterring further violence in a city where safety remains paramount.