Police in Kampala have reported a number of fatal incidents that claimed the lives of four people during Eid celebrations.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson, SSP Patrick Onyango, attributed these occurrences to a range of causes, including suspected poisoning, domestic violence, hit-and-run accidents, and mob justice.
SSP Onyango, during a media briefing at Naguru police headquarters on March 31, 2025, mentioned that despite heightened security measures and community policing efforts aimed at maintaining peace, the city witnessed a disturbing spike in violent incidents.
He noted that while Eid al-Fitr brought joyous celebrations to many, a series of tragic incidents across Kampala resulted in the deaths of four individuals, casting a shadow over the festive period.
“We deployed heavily to ensure a peaceful celebration, and for the most part, the public cooperated; however, isolated incidents of crime and violence unfortunately occurred,” Onyango stated.
According to police, a security guard shot and killed a suspected thief around 3:23 am in Kamuli Zone C. The suspect had allegedly stolen a kettle from a residence before being fatally shot; the suspect’s body was taken to Mulago Hospital for a postmortem.
In another incident in Nsambya West during the early hours of March 31st, a suspected phone thief was found dead, his body bearing signs of severe injuries.
“We are investigating this incident as a case of mob justice and are working to identify those responsible,” SSP Onyango said.
SSP Onyango further reported that there was a fatal hit-and-run around 9:00 p.m. on the Northern Bypass in Kyebando .
“A pedestrian was struck and killed by a speeding vehicle, which fled the scene. Police are actively searching for the driver and appealing to witnesses for information,” SSP Onyango said.
In Kyebando’s Erisa Zone, a male adult was discovered dead around 7:30 p.m., with a bottle of wine nearby, raising suspicions of poisoning.
“We are investigating the possibility of poisoning, and the body has been taken to Mulago City Mortuary for further analysis,” Onyango explained.
Police reported that in Masanafu they intervened in a domestic dispute that turned violent, where a woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting her husband, who was rescued by responding officers; the suspect is now detained at Masanafu Police Post.
SSP Onyango further revealed that the first fatality was discovered on the morning of March 30th at PF Petrol Station in Kanyanya , involving an unidentified individual who was found deceased, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death; the body was transported to Mulago City Mortuary for postmortem examination.
He urged the public to exercise restraint and adherence to the law, reiterating police commitment to thoroughly investigating each of these cases and ensuring justice is served.
