Nomination procession attacks: 30 youth remanded over robbery
The accused, who were captured on closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and by vigilant members of the public, descended on pedestrians and assaulted them before snatching their valuables, including handbags and mobile phones.
Under the Penal Code Act, the offence of simple robbery attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, on conviction, while theft elicits seven-year jail term. (File photo)
By Barbra Kabahumuza and Michael Odeng
Journalists @New Vision
________________
A group of 30 youths accused of attacking and robbing members of the public during a political event on Saturday, June 28, 2025, have been remanded to Luzira Prison.
The accused, who were captured on closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and by vigilant members of the public, descended on pedestrians and assaulted them before snatching their valuables, including handbags and mobile phones.
They were on July 1, produced before Buganda Road Chief Magistrates’ Court and Law Development Centre (LDC) Magistrates’ Court, respectively, and charged with simple robbery and theft before they were remanded to Luzira Prison.
Under the Penal Code Act, the offence of simple robbery attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, on conviction, while theft elicits seven-year jail term.
The accused were remanded by Buganda Road Court senior principal magistrate grade 1 Winnie Nankya Jatiko and LDC grade one magistrate Dorren Ainembabazi. They denied the charges.
Those charged before LDC Court are:
- Brian Kisinzi
- Jamil Kyambadde
- Anthony Odera
- Wagina Ssemakula Magala
- Hamusa Ssempijja
- Mazafalu Matovu
- Joseph Wasswa
- Jerom Kabagoza,
- Martin Ssentayi
- Drisa Karakwage
- Isma Odundo
- Salongo Kafero
- Martin Odoi
- Sadati Kaziimba
Those charged at Buganda Road Court are:
- Emmanuel Turinawe
- Jamir Nsereko
- Ronald Tumusiime
- Joseph Lugwa
- Jenipher Kengozi
- Shaban Mulani
- Joseph Monday
- Isaac Mugezi
- Umaru Asaba
- Deerick Sserukuma
- Kenneth Matovu
- Robert Ogenyi
- Richard Makafu
- Edgar Bwambale
- Abdul Kadama
State Attorney Patricia Cingtho attached to LDC court informed court that investigations are still ongoing. This prompted the magistrate to remand the accused until July 16, 2025 for mention.
While at Buganda Road Court, State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi, informed the court that investigations into the matter is complete and the magistrate adjourned the case to July 18, 2025, for bail hearing.
Those charged before Buganda Road are accused of attacking Abdul Kigozi and robbing him of his mobile phone worth shillings 1.45 million while at the National Theatre in central division, Kampala district.
Prosecution alleges that the accused on June 28, 2025, at the Ministry of Health Central Division in Kampala District and Yusuf Lule Road stole mobile phones worth shillings 1.2 million.
It is further alleged that on the same day, the accused at Nakasero II Parish wondered by day with intent to commit a felony.
Arrest
The accused persons were arrested by officers from Wandegeya Police Station after videos went viral on social media showing them snatching people’s belongings and assaulting pedestrians in parts of Kampala.
The suspects took advantage of the procession by National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters, who were marching to Kyadondo to escort President Yoweri Museveni for his nomination.
The violent scenes occurred on streets including Nkrumah, Nile Avenue, Acacia Avenue and at Wandegeya. Viral videos show a chaotic gang, some on bodabodas and others on foot targeting mobile money operators, newspaper vendors, and ordinary pedestrians.
Clad in yellow T-shirts, the attackers, many with their faces concealed by helmets or hoods, pounced on unsuspecting victims, striking them and fleeing with their phones, handbags, and wallets.
Akullo’s daughter attacked
One of the victims of the gang was Grace Akullo, the former head of the Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate and Interpol.
Akullo and her daughter were attacked at the gate to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) on Nile Avenue where they had made a stopover on their way to the Benny Hinn crusade at Rubaga Miracle Centre.
According to Akullo, a group of around 20 youth dressed in dirty clothes pounced on her family as they switched vehicles with a family member. Her daughter was punched in the face, suffering a broken nose that required treatment at Mulago Hospital.
Although Akullo was not injured, she lost three mobile phones.
Within the city still, the group allegedly attacked a businessman along Acacia Avenue. The man, later found unconscious and stripped of valuables, is believed to have been attacked by the same gang.