News
Missing rifle recovered from garden in Kassanda
“On June 11, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., Matovu Salim, of Kikandwa Village in Kalwana Sub-county, Kassanda District, went to his garden to collect bean husks for roasting maize. While there, he discovered a gun wrapped in a black trouser and hidden among the bean husks,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police officers visited the scene, recorded witness statements, and recovered the gun, which was subsequently taken into police custody as an exhibit. (Credit: Geofrey Asiimwe)
By: Geofrey Asiimwe, Journalist @New Vision
MITYANA - Residents of Mityana can now breathe a sigh of relief after police recovered a rifle that had gone missing from a private security guard in May, bringing to an end weeks of uncertainty surrounding the firearm.
The rifle, serial number UG PSO-564211567/15036, reportedly disappeared on May 20, 2026, while in the possession of Baluku Anderson, an employee of Neptune Guards Ltd.
At the time, Baluku had been deployed at Shrida Investment Ltd in Kiwesa Cell, South Ward, Ttamu Division, Mityana District.
Following the disappearance of the firearm, Baluku was arrested and has since been on remand.
According to Wamala Region Police Spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi, the breakthrough came on June 11, 2026, when a resident of Kassanda District made a startling discovery.
“On June 11, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., Matovu Salim, of Kikandwa Village in Kalwana Sub-county, Kassanda District, went to his garden to collect bean husks for roasting maize. While there, he discovered a gun wrapped in a black trouser and hidden among the bean husks,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police explained that the bean crop had been harvested and threshed on June 6, leaving heaps of husks in the garden where the firearm was later discovered.
“Matovu immediately informed his son, Sebakumba Erias, who also went to the scene and confirmed the presence of the firearm. The matter was then reported to Kikandwa Police Station,” Kigozi added.
Police officers visited the scene, recorded witness statements, and recovered the gun, which was subsequently taken into police custody as an exhibit.
“Upon verification, the serial number on the recovered firearm matched that of the rifle that had been reported missing from Neptune Guards Ltd, effectively concluding the search for the weapon,” Kigozi noted.
“On June 11, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., Matovu Salim, of Kikandwa Village in Kalwana Sub-county, Kassanda District, went to his garden to collect bean husks for roasting maize. While there, he discovered a gun wrapped in a black trouser and hidden among the bean husks,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police explained that the bean crop had been harvested and threshed on June 6, leaving heaps of husks in the garden where the firearm was later discovered.
“Matovu immediately informed his son, Sebakumba Erias, who also went to the scene and confirmed the presence of the firearm. The matter was then reported to Kikandwa Police Station,” Kigozi added.
Police officers visited the scene, recorded witness statements, and recovered the gun, which was subsequently taken into police custody as an exhibit.
“Upon verification, the serial number on the recovered firearm matched that of the rifle that had been reported missing from Neptune Guards Ltd, effectively concluding the search for the weapon,” Kigozi noted.
However, police say investigations are still ongoing to establish how the firearm, which disappeared in Mityana District, ended up concealed in bean husks in Kikandwa Village, Kassanda District.
“Mityana residents who had become concerned following the disappearance of the gun should be informed that the firearm has been recovered and is now in safe police custody,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious items or activities to security authorities as investigations continue.
“Mityana residents who had become concerned following the disappearance of the gun should be informed that the firearm has been recovered and is now in safe police custody,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious items or activities to security authorities as investigations continue.