The Ugandan government has expressed regret over the police shooting of six individuals suspected of planning a robbery in Kampala. The incident occurred during an operation targeting suspects near a bank branch in Kololo and Acacia Mall, raising public concerns about the use of lethal force without sufficient evidence.
General Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister for Internal Affairs, condemned the killings and emphasized the importance of adhering to legal procedures. “Under no circumstances should a Ugandan be executed. I regret that these six Ugandans were gunned down on mere suspicion,” Otafiire stated. He urged law enforcement to ensure arrests and detentions are supported by solid evidence.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba also expressed sorrow over the incident, urging officers to prioritize lawful conduct. “The loss of life is regrettable. Police can’t be the ones fostering loss of lives when our duty is to protect life and property,” he said. Byakagaba called for a thorough investigation to ensure that actions taken by officers were legally justified.
The incident has reignited concerns about extrajudicial executions in Uganda, violating both the Constitution and international human rights treaties. The Constitution guarantees the right to life and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Additionally, Uganda is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which mandates fair trials and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life.
In Parliament, lawmakers voiced their disapproval of the police’s actions. MP Theodore Ssekikubo questioned the justification for using lethal force, stating, “These six Ugandans were gunned down by the police under suspicion of robbery, but how sure were they? There needs to be a clear process before such drastic measures are taken.” MP Betty Nambooze criticized the police’s handling of the incident, saying, “Is that execution or sorting out criminals? The law does not give you the power to take lives indiscriminately. This is not justice; it is lawlessness.” She called for a comprehensive investigation to establish accountability and prevent future occurrences.
Public frustration over the incident reflects growing concerns about unchecked police powers and the erosion of trust in law enforcement. Human rights advocates argue that addressing such incidents transparently and holding those responsible accountable are essential for rebuilding public confidence in the justice system.
Earlier this week, police announced an investigation into how robbers have been targeting businesspersons withdrawing money from banks. Two suspects from the group that was shot dead remain at large, with police linking them to an earlier daylight robbery of a businessman whose car was attacked in traffic, resulting in the theft of a bag containing UGX 100 million.
