Kayunga Police arrest 13 over attempted murder, robberies

KAYUNGA - Police in Kayunga district have arrested 13 suspects in connection with a string of violent home raids involving attempted murder, shop breaking and theft in Kitimbwa Sub-county.

The suspects were picked during a three-day operation conducted by officers from Kitimbwa Police Station following a wave of attacks reported in several villages.
Residents in Nakivubo B, Nkonkonjeru, Bulawula, Bisaaka and Tweyagalire villages had earlier reported being attacked and robberies involving violent gangs.

Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa regional spokesperson, while speaking to Newvision online on Saturday, said the operation was prompted by incidents that occurred on 20th/march/2026, in which several victims were attacked and seriously injured by the suspects, who were reportedly armed with knives and pangas.

During the operations, police recovered several knives and pangas believed to have been used in the attacks.

“The operation was timely to clean up the areas which have been terrorised and aimed at cracking down on the criminal elements behind the attacks by restoring security in the area,” Butoto said.

Police identified the 13 suspects as: Musa Bubaale Katelo, John Owaako, Okaale Ejero, Richard Koowa Odenge, Junior Opioto, Isma Kawumba, Vian Okech, Augustine Opendi, Owen Owere, Stephen Owori, Jamir Kayowa, James Adriko and Nalso Anguyo.

Butoto said three of the victims, as a result of the various cases, have been identified as Godfrey Ochomo, 23 years, a barber and resident of Nyondo, Songu Wandera, 25 years, a businessman from Bukomba village, both in Kayonza Sub-county and Alex Kagugube, 30 years, a resident of Masembe village in Namusale Parish, Busana Sub-county.

All suspects detained at Kayunga Central Police Station (CPS) are expected to be arraigned in court once inquiries are complete and will be charged with attempted murder, shop breaking and theft.

Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious individuals in their communities.

“We remain committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and will continue operations to eliminate criminal elements,” Butoto added.

A total of 56,360 cases of theft were recorded by police in 2025, compared to 61,529 cases reported in 2024, giving a decrease of 8.4% while a total of 1,326 cases of murder by assault were reported in 2025, compared to 1,339 in 2024, giving a decrease of 1%.