Police officers injured as armed soldiers invade Lubowa police station

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Tension and drama ensured on Wednesday (April 30) as heavily armed soldiers from the Special Forces Command (SFC), an elite unit of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), raided Lubowa Police Station in Wakiso District about 11 kilometers from Kampala city centre. 

The raiders reportedly assaulted police officers and civilians in a shocking afternoon incident now under investigation.

The incident, which occurred on April 30 at around 4:00pm, is recorded under SD Ref 25/30/04/2025 at Lubowa Police Station.

It all started when Lt. Samson Amo, said to be attached to the SFC, arrived at the station asking Police personnel to detain a group whom he said had been arrested during an operation at the nearby NSSF estate.

Sources say Lt. Amo, however, failed to explain the alleged crimes of his eight suspects who included two UPDF officers.

Police have revealed that since the suspects appeared to have been severely beaten, Assistant Superintendent of Police Innocent Sunday, the Officer-in-Charge of Lubowa Police Station, requested clarification before accepting custody.

According to a police report, the demands did not please Amo who immediately became verbally abusive during the exchange.

Some sources claim he called for reinforcement.

Shortly afterwards, a green UPDF pickup truck (reg. H4DF 3348) turned up into the driveway. About 12 armed soldiers jumped off the truck, stormed the station, surrounded it and indiscriminately rounded up police officers and civilians.

“They beat up the OC and other officers on duty, including clients who had come to the station before fleeing,” a senior police officer told this publication on condition of anonymity.

Another source accused the soldiers of robbing the police officers of their cell phones.

The assaulted officers include: Detective Inspector Claire Kisa, Sgt. Kabaho, Detective Sgt. Njose, and Detective Constable Tubwita. 

Responding to the desperate calls,  Kajjansi Division Police Commander, SP Salama Namutosi, rushed to the scene and evacuated injured officers and civilian suspects to a private health facility in Seguku. 

Six of the suspects brought by Lt. Amo were admitted in critical condition.

Police have since opened charges of aggravated robbery and attempted murder against Lt. Amo and the soldiers involved.

The station has been reinforced with six additional personnel as several officers are unfit for duty due to their injuries.

When contacted, Maj. Jimmy Omara, the SFC spokesperson also acknowledged the report, saying the matter had been brought to the attention of SFC leadership and would be investigated thoroughly.

This is not the first time rogue security personnel have raided a police station.

In 2022, a similar incident occurred at Ntinda Police Station when armed men stormed the facility and freed a suspect accused of threatening musician Bebe Cool.