Police has started investigations into circumstances under which six suspected bank robbers were shot dead in Kamwokya during a police operation.
This comes as questions are now being raised about the excessive force used by officers. It also follows a directive from Minister for Internal Affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafiire tasking the Inspector General of Police, Abasi Byakagaba, to submit a full report on the incident.
The Minister condemned the killings and stressed the importance of following proper legal procedures in such operations.
The suspects were gunned down in an intelligence-led operation meant to prevent a reported robbery at Acacia Mall last week. Police had received a tip-off that a group of armed robbers was targeting a bank client withdrawing cash. Officers from the Police Flying Squad and Crime Intelligence swooped in to intercept the gang, but the operation ended in the deaths of six suspects at three locations: Acacia Mall, Mawanda Road Junction, and Kasasiro Road.
Among the dead were Sharif Lukwago, Muzamir Kamoga, Fahad Katongole, Mahad Kamisi, Michael Sebaka, and Twayisabe Innocent alias Money Zaake. Police say they were linked to multiple robberies, including the UGX 100 million incident from businessman Fred Tibamanya, who had been targeted after withdrawing cash from a bank in Kawempe.
“These were hardened criminals, part of a gang that had escalated from non-armed assaults to armed robberies. They targeted bank clients with large sums of money,” said Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke.
But while police are celebrating their victory, witnesses to the operation are calling it a “shoot-to-kill mission”, saying the officers had no intention of making arrests. When pressed on the use of deadly force, Kituuma acknowledged the concerns and promised a thorough investigation.
“If there were any excesses, as can happen in any operation, we will investigate thoroughly and take remedial action if needed,” Kituuma stated
He adeed police are still hunting down the remaining members of the gang. Kituuma assured the public that efforts to dismantle the entire criminal network were ongoing.
