Security agencies have vowed to take a tougher shoot to kill policy against armed robbers.

The shoot to kill policy was agreed upon today in a security meeting in Mukono Municipality between Uganda Police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), local leaders and the residents of Mukono Municipality.

The order Follows a rise in armed robberies in the Kampala Metropolitan area.

“We are going to kill them. I’m not used to these things of writing statements. We shall shoot them and then investigate where they got the gun from. You have to kill these thieves,” UPDF’s Lt. Col. Fred Mwesigye said.

Edward Ochom, the police Director in Charge of Operations warned, “These robbers have their agents. They are here, I know it. We are discussing Security (and) they want to hear what we are saying. But, if you are their agent, take the message, their days are numbered. We are not going to sympathise with them anymore, enough must be enough.”

Early this week, Flying Squad Unit and Mukono Police arrested two suspects, highly linked to the aggravated robbery of Spice Supermarket, located at ku Ssatu, in Namubiru ward, Mukono Central Division in Mukono Municipality on June 25th, 2022.

Spice Supermarket in Mukono which was robbed at gun point

“The two suspects were sighted on the eve of the robbery, while drinking at Cloud 9 bar, near the supermarket. They include Mugalu William, a 24-year-old resident, of Nasuuti cell, Ntawo ward, Mukono Central and Mbogo Sam, a 23-year-old, resident of Nasuuti cell, Ntawo ward, Mukono municipality. They were clearly identified by one of the witnesses who clearly saw them escaping from the scene,” police mouthpiece Fred Enanga said.

He added, “We are now working towards the recovery of the gun and identifying other members of the gang, who appear to be an amateur group. Such groups are usually desperate, panicky more high risk and willing to use violence.

“They shot a bullet through the computer, which injured Ssekandi Irene, through the stomach and exited from the back. We wish her quick recovery. A team of counsellors from CID Headquarters has been dispatched to offer counselling services to the victim.”

Enanga warned that even though attacks on supermarkets have not been so regular, police is anticipating more retail crimes on supermarkets, mobile money points, retail shops and markets due to high levels of unemployment among the youth, use of drugs, change in criminal tactics, where robbers attack softer targets with lesser security, such as supermarkets and the opportunity of get-away.

Yesterday, the Directorate of Crime Intelligence and Flying Squad Unit recovered a motor vehicle registration number UAD 728Y, a dark grey Toyota Corolla, which was parked at Ham Mukasa-Nasuti junction.

Upon searching the boot of the vehicle, the scene of crime officers found a sub machine gun loaded with three live ammunition that were wrapped in a yellow polythene sack.

“The team also found four sharp pangas, a sharp steel knife, two pairs of scissors, two pairs of pliers and two screw drivers. Other equipment that is used in breaking-in were also found in the car. Our teams also recovered items of different types of electronics, which are suspected to be stolen,” ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy PRO Kampala Metropolitan Police said.

By Grapevine Reporter

The director of communications at Parliament, Chris Obore has responded to Civic Space TV journalist, Agather Atuhaire who says that her life is in danger after exposing documents showing the purchase of luxury cars for the Speaker and her deputy.

Through her social media platforms, Atuhaire broke the story of how Parliament planned and executed the procurement of luxury cars for Speaker Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa.

Atuhaire, through a Twitter Space hosted by the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ), which is owned by renowned journalist Solomon Sserwanja, says her life is in danger, and she is now in hiding.

“After breaking the story, I got information from my sources at Parliament saying that I could be in danger and that they were trying to find out how I got the information,” Atuhaire said.

“Many of them could not even talk to me over the phone, they came in person and told me that they were looking for something that they could use against me,” she added.

She further noted that she felt threatened and to make matter worse, she was being addressed informally.

“My team sent a letter to Parliament to inform them that I am available if they want to question me, but the letter has since gone unanswered,” she explained.

However, Obore told Atuhaire that parliament as as an institution does not respond to a journalist whose desire is to seek attention.

“She will hide herself, run and run. Talk about being threatened. Get nice comments on social media. Until she cannot sustain the lie and life moves on,” Obore said.

Atuhaire warned Obore to stop maligning her behind her back.

She shared some messages from Obore allegedly telling some people that she wants money from NGOs, that is why she is concocting the harassment narrative.

“Agarther came to the Speaker looking for a job. She was told the existing jobs were for PAs only. She also wanted the Speaker to compel LDC to graduate her. She flatly said she had no powers. Later agarther speaks like she is the Angel. Let her not force us to speak what we don’t want to. We have cctv cameras at parliament. Tell Agather not to look for limelight as a journalist,” some of the messages that Agather shared allegedly from Obore read.

By Kalamira Hope

The Court of Appeal today dismissed the petition filed by Kawempe North Legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya and Makindye West legislator, Allan Sewanyana challenging the High Court decision to deny them bail.

Court of Appeal Justices Cheborion Barishaki, Christopher Madrama and Eva Luswata declined to hear the duo’s argument on their constitutional right to bail, arguing that the MPs are barred by law pending their trial on charges of murder

During court, the state reasoned that the bail granted to the two legislators has not been violated because they are in prison in regards to another case in which they were denied bail by the Masaka High Court.

They further noted that it makes no sense to have the two MPs released based on the file where they were granted bail by the Masaka High Court yet there is another file where court declined to grant bail.

They divulged that this would mean they will be re-arrested over the other case file where they were not granted bail.

After the ruling, Shamim Malende, the lawyer representing the jailed legislators said that her legal team is going to the Constitutional Court for interpretation of Articles 28(3) (a) and 23 on the right to liberty and presumption of innocence.

The international crimes division also refused to grant them bail saying they are in lawful custody and have pending charges but the court however condemned how they were arrested.

By Kalamira Hope