Police react to claims of officer brutality after Nakivubo floods left four dead
“The first is that the traders were beaten. This is, of course, unfortunate. If there is any trader who was harmed, this would call upon that trader to report, and we expect our Police to carry out investigations and apprehend specific persons who could have committed the offences against such a trader,” Kituuma said.
Kituuma dismissed claims circulating on social media that security personnel were siding with a private investor linked to ongoing construction works around the Nakivubo drainage channel, saying the Police’s role was purely to preserve calm. (New Vision/Files)
KAMPALA - Police have responded to allegations of brutality by officers deployed in downtown Kampala following Friday’s flash floods that left four people dead and paralysed business operations around Nakivubo Channel.
Addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, today, November 3, 2025, Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma described the incidents as unfortunate and urged the public to remain calm and co-operate with ongoing investigations.
“The first is that the traders were beaten. This is, of course, unfortunate. If there is any trader who was harmed, this would call upon that trader to report, and we expect our Police to carry out investigations and apprehend specific persons who could have committed the offences against such a trader,” Kituuma said.
He explained that the officers deployed during the flooding emergency were acting to restore order after chaos broke out among traders and residents affected by the deluge.
“On issues of property loss, that is a matter which can be handled using our simple procedures. There are well-related procedures that can be exploited to address that. I think that one is not necessarily directly under police,” he noted.
Protecting investors
Kituuma dismissed claims circulating on social media that security personnel were siding with a private investor linked to ongoing construction works around the Nakivubo drainage channel, saying the Police’s role was purely to preserve calm.
Addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, today, November 3, 2025, Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma described the incidents as unfortunate and urged the public to remain calm and co-operate with ongoing investigations. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
“The other issue is that the investor is being protected. As the Embedded Police force, we have not protected the investor in any way to do anything. What we have already done is to ensure that there is calmness down there, and where there are breaches in security, that is for people to collaborate with us. We will see how to address any breach of the law down there,” Kituuma said.
He said the Police remain open to receiving complaints and pledged that all allegations of misconduct would be handled through established disciplinary and legal channels.
Friday’s floods followed a heavy evening downpour that overwhelmed Nakivubo Channel and its tributaries, sweeping through the city’s central business district.
The most affected areas included Kafumbe Mukasa Road, Kisekka Market, Nabugabo, and Clock Tower.
Police and residents retrieved four bodies from the flooded channel on Saturday morning. The deceased were identified as boda-boda rider Ronald Nsubuga, hawker Sarah Namusoke, Mini Price porter Moses Kabanda and an unidentified male believed to be a street vendor.
Two other people were rescued by Police and community volunteers and rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital with injuries and trauma.