Police in Mpigi are investigating circumstances under which unknown machete-wielding thugs’ raided two parishes in Kituntu Sub County and mercilessly attacked and robbed locals.

This happened on August 12, 2024, in Seeta Nkinga in Kantini Kituntu parish and Njeru B in Bukasa parish.

According to the locals, the thugs were seen moving around the affected area at 10:00 p.m. in a Mark X motor vehicle that had dim car lights and no number plate.

They added that the thugs were scouting these villages for weaknesses, and at around 3:00 am, they attacked their first victim in Seeta Nkinga village.  They broke into the house and attacked a coffee and maize trader identified as Henry Makumbi.

They hit him with an iron bar and brutally hacked him with a machete too, while forcefully asking for money.

According to Makumbi, the machete-wielding thugs are aged between 20 and 25 years.

He added that when they broke into his house, he told them he had no money at home but rather in the bank, which angered them, and they continued to hack him with a machete until he gave them UGX 4 million.

’’They are hard-core thieves and are determined to do anything or kill someone to get money,’’ Makumbi stated.

The gang then moved on to Njeru B village in Bukasa parish, where they launched a series of attacks on unsuspecting residents.

Many locals were assaulted and robbed of money and valuables, and some suffered injuries while resisting the thugs.

During an interview with journalists, Katonga region police spokesperson SP Karim Majid confirmed the incidents and said investigations are underway to identify the attackers and bring them to justice.

However, he urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

SP Majid added that community members need to work together to enhance security by forming neighborhood watch groups to deter further attacks and foster a sense of safety among residents.

’’We are committed to ensuring the safety of our communities and will do our best to capture these assailants,’’ Majid stated.

James Kalema, the village chairperson of Seeta Nkinga, revealed that residents of Busale, Bukasa, and Katini are living in fear due to the recent spate of violence and the rising trend of machete attacks in Mpigi. He called for heightened security measures in these areas.

Kalema also encouraged residents to take proactive steps to combat crime by purchasing whistles. He explained that blowing a whistle during an attack would serve as a distress signal, alerting nearby locals to come to their aid.