Kampala, Uganda: Former Criminal Investigations Directorate (CIID) boss, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Rtd) Grace Akullo, was among scores of people violently robbed by a flash mob of thugs clad in National Resistance Movement (NRM) T-shirts on Saturday during President Yoweri Museveni’s nomination event in Kampala.
According to security sources, Ms Akullo had parked near the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation offices on Shimoni Road to withdraw cash when the gang struck, attacking her and her children. Her son sustained a broken nose and other severe injuries, requiring emergency treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
The family was reportedly en route to Miracle Centre Cathedral for the Benny Hinn crusade when they were targeted.
A senior female officer attached to the Crime Intelligence Directorate was also assaulted by the same group. Mobile money agents, vendors, motorists, and passers-by were similarly ambushed and robbed of cash and property in broad daylight.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Mr Patrick Onyango confirmed that 21 suspects had been arrested by Sunday.
“We are continuing with the hunt down of all suspects who participated in the criminal activities against people who had gone to witness the nomination of President Museveni. So far, we have 21 suspects in custody,” Onyango said.
The suspects allegedly attacked mobile money agents Rose Kakyo, Sumaya Namutebi, and Alice Katusabe, who each lost millions in cash and their phones.
CCTV footage shows victims being cornered and savagely dragged across tarmac as the attackers shouted “Tuli Bazukulu (We are President Museveni’s grandchildren).”
Police say the stolen property has not yet been recovered.
This is not the first time Kampala has seen such criminality linked to political mobilization. In September 2023, a similar mob dressed in NRM colors assaulted and robbed civilians during celebrations marking President Museveni’s birthday at Kololo.
In one notorious case, a Japanese consultant working with Kampala Capital City Authority, Okira Ito, was beaten to death by the gang after trying to retrieve his stolen bag.
The recurring violence has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from both security agencies and political organizers.
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