Police raid Nateete, Bweyogerere arrests suspects over assault and opium smoking

KAMPALA - Police on February 19, 2026, said they had arrested three suspects who allegedly caused grievous harm to Polly Sekilanda Kibirige, a 63-year-old male, retired civil servant and resident of Kitebe Cell, Mutundwe Ward, Rubaga division, Kampala district.

Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson Racheal Kawala said the three were arrested after they struck their victim on January 15, 2026 at the back of the head with a paver while returning from a polling station at Kitebi Primary School.

“He was found lying in a pool of blood and was rushed to Kitebe Family Clinic and Medical Centre for first aid before being referred to Mulago Hospital for further treatment,” Kawala stated.

She identified the suspects who had been arrested as Seviri Furik, Mutundwe-based Kitebe Cell LC1 chairperson Henry Kasule, 66 and Andrew Kitege Kyemwa, 50, a resident of Kitebi.

“The case files have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Busega arrests

Kawala also said, “Separately, on February 18, at about 2:00pm, Police at Nateete received information about a gang of boys smoking opium on top of a building in Kigwanya Zone, Busega.

“A task team immediately responded to the scene, leading to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of exhibits. The suspects were identified as Kasozi Shafik, Godwin Nasasira, Mike Talemwa and Wilson Nabasa. Exhibits recovered include a knife and several sticks of opium. The suspects have since been charged accordingly,” she said.

She also revealed that on February 18, at about 9:00pm, an operation was conducted in Bweyogerere Central Zone and Wellspring Zone, leading to the arrest of 18 suspects.

“These operations are part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of the public,” Kawala added.

The arrests come in the wake of a series of other arrests after complaints emerged on social media about criminal gangs terrorising greater Kampala residents.

Rachael Kawala

IGP shakes up KMP Command structure

In a bid to curb the increasing criminality in and around the greater KMP area, Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba on Tuesday made changes to the policing structure, dropping incumbent commander Richard Ecega.

Byakagaba on February 17, 2026, recalled and named Commissioner of Police Ezekiel Emitu, who has been the commandant of the Police Training School in Kabalye, Masindi district back to KMP as the new commander.

Also sacked is Ecega’s deputy, Gerald Twishimye, as well as the head of crime intelligence within Kampala Metropolitan Area, Ben Kasozi and Old Kampala Divisional Police Commander, Francis Liiga.

Senior Police sources, who spoke to New Vision Online, confirmed that the development comes in the wake of a hastily convened joint security meeting on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing public outcry in the wake of increased cases of attacks in different parts of KMP and the country.

Changes not because of insecurity

Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Wednesday confirmed changes had been effected at KMP but downplayed it as being because of the increase in criminality.

“The appointing authority always appoints and makes transfers for purposes of greater efficiency. He knows how best to reorganise his troops and knows where to place them. But usually, all movement of troops is always aimed at efficiency and optimisation,” Rusoke said.

 Emitu is not a stranger to policing in KMP, having served before as the Deputy KMP commander to the current Assistant Inspector General of Police Frank Mwesigwa, who is also the director operations at KMP.

No cause for alarm

Emitu's transfer comes in the wake of the Director of Crime Intelligence of the Uganda Police Force, Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, assuring the country that they are in charge of the situation and there is no need to worry.

Responding to the Tuesday newspaper headlines, which indicated the criminal gangs had taken over the country, Ddamulira said they had taken note of what the media had highlighted.

"We are also alive to the plight of those who have fallen victim to crime and everything within means is being done to ensure that there is a peaceful environment for everyone," Ddamulira said.

He said it is not true that crime has taken over.