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Attacker shot during foiled attack on police station in Kasese

The incident occurred on Thursday morning, October 1, 2026, at Bugoye Police Station in Kasese Municipality Division, according to an incident report from the Rwenzori East Regional Police.

Attacker shot during foiled attack on police station in Kasese
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision

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Police in Kasese district have foiled an attack on Bugoye Police Station after one of the suspected attackers attempted to grab a firearm from a police officer, prompting the officer to shoot and injure him.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning, October 1, 2026, at Bugoye Police Station in Kasese Municipality Division, according to an incident report from the Rwenzori East Regional Police.

The police report, titled “Incident Report/An Attack by Suspected Members of Kirumira Mutima,” indicates that the attackers targeted the police station, with one of them attempting to wrestle a gun from a police officer.

Rwenzori East regional police spokesperson Elly Maate, speaking to journalists after the foiled attack. (Photo by Samuel Amanyire)

Rwenzori East regional police spokesperson Elly Maate, speaking to journalists after the foiled attack. (Photo by Samuel Amanyire)


“The station was attacked. One attacker attempted to grab a gun from a police officer without success. Instead, the officer managed to shoot and injure the attacker,” the report states.

The other suspected attackers reportedly fled the scene after the officer opened fire.

The injured attacker, according to police, managed to run away from the scene while making noise. Following the incident, Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers reportedly pursued the attacker and subsequently “put him out of action.”

Police said a panga, believed to have been used by the attackers, was recovered at the scene and has been preserved as an exhibit as investigations continue.

Subsequently, a team of police officers from Kasese Central Police Station travelled to Bugoye under the command of the Kasese Division Police Commander, Hassan Hiwumbire.

The police homicide team also visited the scene and commenced investigations, including documenting and preserving evidence.

The report indicates that the body of the attacker was still at the scene at the time of reporting the incident, and was yet to be taken to Kasese Hospital.

Police have since heightened security around the area, with personnel placed on high alert to respond to any further attacks or related incidents.

“Personnel have been put on high alert in case of any other eventualities. The situation is under serious monitoring,” the report states.

Some of the suspects who have been arrested.(Photo by Samuel Amanyire)

Some of the suspects who have been arrested.(Photo by Samuel Amanyire)


The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identity of the attackers, their motive and whether they were acting as a coordinated group, are now a subject of further police investigation.

Police have described the attackers as suspected members of Kirumira Mutima.

The attack comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the Rwenzori region, where police and other security agencies continue to monitor suspected criminal and armed groups.

Earlier incidents

This is not the first time armed groups linked to the Kirumira Mutima group have attacked police stations in Kasese and other districts in Rwenzori sub-region.

A quiet Saturday morning of November 1, 2025, turned into terror in the Rwenzori sub-region as heavily armed groups simultaneously launched coordinated attacks on police stations, UPDF detachments and civilian areas, leaving at least 24 people dead, several injured and others arrested.

Panic swept through communities in Kasese, Fort Portal and Bundibugyo, prompting security forces to heighten deployments and urge residents not to spread fear.

The two attacks in Kasese happened at Rugendabara–Kikongo Town Council and Kilembe Road police barracks between 5:30am and 7:00am.

Hudson Musale, the Buhuhira sub-county chairperson, identified some of the deceased as: Abeli Sibaminya, resident of Kikoka; Charles Mbene, resident of Kahondo village; and Gadi Kirongotse Karungi, from Buhuhira village. All three were residents of Buhuhira sub-county.

The November 2025 attacks revived memories of November 2016, when coordinated assaults on police posts in Kasese left scores dead. At the time, government linked the attacks to the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu royal guards, then operating under the code name ‘Kirumira mutima’.

Security forces led by Maj. Gen. Peter Elweru (now retired) stormed the palace of King Charles Wesley Mumbere, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people, including 137 royal guards and 16 policemen. The King and more than 200 of his suspected subjects were arrested. They spent nearly eight years in prison until their release in 2023, after signing amnesty forms endorsed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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Police
Crime
Police station attack
Kasese district