Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has opened up on the alarming incident at Lubowa Police Station in which its armed soldiers stormed the facility, assaulted officers, and injured civilians on Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement released Thursday, May 01, 2025, Acting UPDF Spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi attributed the unwelcoming altercation to a “failure of coordination” between security operatives on routine patrol and police officers at the station.
“The UPDF is aware about the incident in Lubowa yesterday afternoon involving security operatives and the police officers at the station. It is probable that the ensuing fracas was simply a failure of coordination between the security officers on routine patrol and the police elements at the station,” Col. Magezi said in a brief statement released via official X account on the evening.
The UPDF Col emphasized that the”matter is now being reviewed internally by the UPDF and Police authorities, and will be resolved at the earliest opportunity.”
He added, “It is important for the security forces to always synchronize and work in harmony to effectively deliver on their mandate: peace and security for the people of Uganda.”
What exactly happened?
The incident, which occurred on April 30, involved approximately 12 armed soldiers, allegedly led by Lt. Samson Amo of the Special Forces Command (SFC), an elite unit responsible for presidential security. Reports indicate that the soldiers arrived at Lubowa Police Station around 2 PM, demanding the detention of eight individuals they had arrested during an operation in Lubowa.
However, when ASP Sunday Innocent, the Officer-in-Charge, requested details about the operation and the offenses committed, Lt. Amo reportedly responded with insults, telling the officer to “stop being stupid.”
Shortly thereafter, the soldiers stormed the station, held officers at gunpoint, and assaulted both police personnel and civilians present.
Five police officers; ASP Sunday Innocent, D/IP Claire Kisa, Sgt. Kabaho, D/Sgt Njose, and D/C Tubwita were injured during the assault. Additionally, several civilians sustained injuries, and personal items, including mobile phones, were stolen.
“They put everyone at gunpoint, beat up the OC and other officers on duty, and assaulted clients who had come to the station,” the report by KMP read on Thursday, adding that the soldiers then fled the scene after members of the local community gathered in alarm.
The eight detainees brought in by the soldiers were found severely beaten, with six requiring hospitalization.
In response to the incident, the Kampala Metropolitan South regional police said it had opened a case against Lt. Amo and his group, charging them with aggravated robbery and attempted murder.
The KMP leadership has reinforced Lubowa Police Station and launched a full inquiry into the conduct of the SFC soldiers.
This event has raised concerns about inter-agency coordination and the conduct of military personnel in civilian law enforcement contexts.
The UPDF’s acknowledgment of the incident as a coordination failure points to the need for improved communication and collaboration among Uganda’s security agencies to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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