Two youths arrested with panga, knife in Kampala night patrol
According to Kawala, the suspects were intercepted in the early hours of March 19, 2026, during a routine patrol by officers from Kikoni Police Station in Kampala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala. (File photo)
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Police have arrested two youths allegedly found in possession of dangerous weapons during a night patrol operation, authorities said on Thursday.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, the suspects were intercepted in the early hours of March 19, 2026, during a routine patrol by officers from Kikoni Police Station in Kampala.
“The patrol team became suspicious after encountering a group of about six young men loitering near Nyumbani Hotel. Upon sighting the police, the group attempted to flee, prompting officers to give chase,” said Racheal Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson.
She identified the two suspects as Omirambe Nizara, 18, a loader at Arua Park, and Daniel Ochom, 23, a casual worker, both residents of Mikade in Kawempe Division.
Police managed to apprehend the two while the others escaped.
“Upon search, one of the suspects, Omirambe Nizara, was found in possession of a panga and a knife concealed on his person,” Kawala added.
The two are currently detained at Kikoni Police Station on allegations of being in possession of dangerous weapons and “wandering about by night,” an offence under Ugandan law.
Kawala said the case file is being compiled and will be submitted to the Resident State Attorney for legal advice and possible prosecution.
Police have since intensified night patrols in the area as part of ongoing efforts to curb crime and improve public safety in Kampala.
Recently, the deputy Inspector General of Police, James Ocaya, told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on March 10, 2026, that at least 7,159 suspects were arrested nationwide in January and February, with 3,724 already arraigned in courts of law.
Within the Kampala Metropolitan Area alone, police arrested 3,512 suspects, of whom 1,935 have been taken to court.
During the operations, police recovered guns, pangas, housebreaking tools, vehicle parts, motorcycles and drugs such as marijuana, as well as stolen agricultural produce and livestock, including coffee.
Ocaya warned that individuals, companies and mobile money agents handling large sums of cash without proper security measures are increasingly attracting criminals.
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said intelligence-led operations have been targeting burglary, aggravated robbery, narcotics trafficking and street muggings in known criminal hideouts.
Police statistics also indicate that crime in Uganda declined by 10.3% in 2025, with 196,155 cases reported compared to 218,715 in 2024.