By The number of suspects charged in connection with the June 28th violent attacks and robberies in Kampala has risen to 30, following the arraignment of 16 more individuals at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The suspects, many of whom were allegedly part of a group wearing ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party T-shirts, are accused of violently attacking and robbing members of the public in different parts of the city shortly after President Yoweri Museveni picked his party’s nomination forms to contest for the presidency once again.
Thirteen of the newly arraigned suspects were remanded to Luzira Prison, while three juveniles were committed to Naguru Remand Home pending further proceedings.
According to the prosecution, the suspects took part in coordinated attacks in central Kampala, including on city streets and transport terminals, where they reportedly assaulted passersby and snatched mobile phones, wallets, and other valuables in broad daylight. The attacks sparked public outrage and drew condemnation from human rights defenders and opposition leaders, who accused the regime of enabling political violence.
On Monday 30th June while addressing the press at the People’s Front for Freedom offices on Katonga Road Kira municipality MP Ibrahim Semujju Nganda accused the director of criminal investigation in the uganda police force Maj. Gen. Christopher Damulira of being behind these gangs and called for his immediate investigation.
We now have police officers, senior ones like Grace Akullo being beaten by criminals raised and trained under the command of Maj. Gen. Damulira,” Semujju told reporters. “This is no longer about the opposition. This is about a regime losing control over its monsters.”
Police later confirmed that a criminal gang was behind the incidents and vowed to pursue all those involved. Authorities said investigations are ongoing and that more arrests could follow.
The accused face charges ranging from robbery and assault to unlawful assembly and malicious property damage.
The suspects are expected to return to court later on the 16th of July as police continue with investigations.
