KAMPALA, UGANDA — A contingent of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers, led by a Lieutenant Samson Amo of the Special Forces Command (SFC), raided Lubowa Police Station in Kampala on Wednesday evening, disarming police officers and detaining over ten civilians.
The incident resulted in serious injuries to police personnel and civilians, who were reportedly assaulted by the soldiers.
According to a police report seen by Vivid Voice News, the incident occurred around 2:00pm on April 30 when ASP Sunday Innocent, Officer in Charge (OC) of Lubowa Police Station, received a phone call from a man identifying himself as Lt. Samson Amo of the Special Forces Command (SFC).
Lt. Samson Amo allegedly instructed the OC to prepare for the detention of eight individuals he claimed had been arrested during an unspecified operation in Lubowa.
When ASP Sunday questioned the nature of the operation and the offence committed by the suspects, Lt. Amo reportedly responded with verbal abuse, telling the officer to “stop being stupid.”
As the OC attempted to make sense of the situation and engaged the soldier—who was accompanied by RA 250778 Private Emmanuel Opio—he invited them into his office for further clarification.
But before any explanation could be made, the station was abruptly surrounded by approximately 12 armed UPDF soldiers aboard a military vehicle bearing registration number H4DF 3348 and confronted the armed police guards; IP Claire Kisa, Sgt Kabaho, Sgt Njose, and Constable Tubwita.
A source within the police stated that the soldiers threatened to shoot everyone at the station.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Innocent Sunday, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lubowa Police Station, instructed his guards to lay down their weapons to de-escalate the situation. However, the soldiers advanced and held everyone, including ASP Sunday, at gunpoint.
One soldier reportedly attempted to shoot ASP Sunday, but was stopped by another soldier.
The commander of the soldiers then arrived and physically assaulted ASP Sunday, kicking him repeatedly. Other soldiers joined in, tearing his uniform and beating him with electric wires.
Civilians present at the station to report crimes or assist with construction were also attacked.
During the chaos, the Lt. Amo attempted to seize a gun from ASP Sunday, leading to a struggle.
A civilian sought refuge in the OC’s office. The Lieutenant pursued him, drawing his pistol, but the commander of the soldiers ordered a retreat, preventing further violence. The soldiers then fled the scene.
ASP Sunday, his subordinates and civilians sustained serious injuries and were admitted to medical facilities.
Top Kampala Metropolitan Police commanders have confirmed the incident and launched investigations.
“They put everyone at gunpoint, beat up the OC and other officers on duty, and assaulted clients who had come to the station,” the report seen by this publication states.
The soldiers then fled the scene after members of the local community gathered in alarm.
Among the most seriously injured were the eight individuals brought in by Lt. Amo, six of whom were admitted to Doctor’s Hospital with severe injuries.
Five police officers were physically assaulted and robbed during the attack:
- ASP Sunday Innocent
- D/IP Claire Kisa
- Sgt Kabaho
- D/Sgt Njose
- D/C Tubwita
Three of the officers’ phones were reportedly stolen, along with an unknown number of civilian phones and other personal items. The number of injured civilians is yet to be confirmed as many fled the scene in panic.
Police responded by opening a case of aggravated robbery and attempted murder against Lt. Samson Amo and his colleagues.
This incident comes amid growing public concern over a spate of violent misconduct involving military personnel in Uganda.
This incident brings to mind previous instances of conflict involving the UPDF and other entities.
Notably, on March 3rd, a UPDF soldier fatally shot his girlfriend at the Kaweweta Training School.
Furthermore, two years prior, traffic police officer Robert Mukebezi was shot in Kampala by an army officer after the former towed a military vehicle involved in an accident in Ntinda, Kampala, to the Kira Road Police Station.