In Summary: The killing of a 10-year-old pupil and the critical injury of her mother in Kazo have renewed attention on security concerns in western Uganda. The incident comes weeks after Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba visited Kazo, Ibanda, Kagadi and Kyankwanzi following public complaints about murders, livestock theft and crop theft. Police subsequently disclosed that Kazo had recorded 14 murder cases between July and September 2026.
Kazo, Uganda — Police are investigating the killing of a 10-year-old Primary Two pupil and the attempted murder of her mother following an attack at their home in Keicumu II Cell, Keicumu Parish, Engari Sub-county, Kazo District, an incident that has added to growing security concerns over violent crime in western Uganda.
The deceased, identified as Ahimbisibwe Shallona, was a Primary Two pupil at Keicumu Maranatha Primary School, while her mother, Kyomugisha Juliet, 28, survived the attack but sustained critical injuries.
In a statement released Thursday, August November 5, Police confirmed the arrest of the prime suspect identified as Kamukama Alon, who is reportedly the woman’s husband, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.
According to preliminary police findings, the incident occurred on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. At about 11:00 pm, the suspect reportedly approached neighbours and informed them that there was a dead body at his residence without identifying the deceased.
Alarmed by the disclosure, neighbours led by the LC I chairperson went to the home, where they found the girl dead on a bed alongside her mother, who was critically injured and lying in a pool of blood.
The community members rescued the surviving woman and rushed her to Kagongo Hospital in Ibanda District for medical attention before reporting the incident to police.
A team comprising homicide investigators, Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO), canine handlers and uniformed personnel, led by the Kazo District Police Commander, responded to the scene to begin investigations.
Police said a sniffer dog was deployed during the operation and followed a scent trail to Star Clinic in Keicumu, where the suspect was found receiving medical attention.
“Further preliminary findings indicate that the suspect maintains a traditional shrine at his residence. Investigators have also established that the surviving victim entered the marriage with the suspect with a child from a previous relationship, who is the deceased in this incident,” Police said on Thursday morning.
“Additionally, investigators recovered a white bucket containing reddish-coloured water at the scene, which is suspected to have been used by the suspect to wash himself after the incident. This, together with other findings at the scene, forms part of the ongoing forensic investigations.”
Police said the suspect is now in “police custody as investigators await his full recovery and improved medical condition to facilitate further questioning and establish what happened.”
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of heightened security concerns in Kazo and neighbouring districts, where residents and political leaders have raised alarm over murders, theft of animals and crops, and other criminal activities.
On October 4, 2026, Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba, accompanied by the Director of Operations, AIGP Frank Mwesigwa, conducted operational assessments in Kazo, Ibanda, Kagadi and Kyankwanzi districts.
The visit followed complaints from political leaders and members of the public about the prevailing security situation in the affected areas.
During the engagements, Byakagaba met regional, district and sub-county police commanders and called for stronger coordination, proactive policing and closer cooperation between security personnel and communities.
He also directed officers to make better use of available crime-fighting resources, including canine services, CCTV systems, communication equipment and police vehicles.
The affected districts were reinforced with additional police personnel and motorcycles to strengthen the implementation of the Sub-County Policing Model.
The concerns were further underlined by a subsequent security engagement in Kazo, during which police disclosed that the district had registered 14 murder cases between July and September 2026.
According to the police, Nkungu, Buremba, Kanoni and Ngari sub-counties were identified as major hotspots during the three-month period.
Police also reported that several of the incidents involved victims being struck on the head with blunt objects. Investigations had led to arrests in some cases, with officers noting that suspects and their alleged accomplices varied from one incident to another.
Recent attacks in Kazo and Ibanda
The security concerns have been accompanied by a series of deadly incidents in the neighbouring districts.
On August 27, 2026, a woman identified as Asimwe Rashida was strangled to death in Mpuga Cell, Buremba Sub-county, Kazo District. Police said money and other belongings were reportedly stolen during the incident.
The following day, August 28, four members of a family were attacked at their home in Rwenshabya IV Village, Keihangara Sub-county, Ibanda District. Two victims, Kenguto Margaret, 76, and Kwesiga Anthony, 13, later died from their injuries.
Police subsequently announced arrests in connection with the attacks, including the arrest of Bogere Ayub, 28, in Mbarara City on October 15. He was suspected of involvement in the fatal incidents and was described by police as an associate of Tusiime Hickson, also known as Kabuto, who had been arrested on October 12.
Police also arrested other individuals for questioning over alleged facilitation of criminal activity and receiving suspected stolen property. Investigations into the incidents were still ongoing at the time of the police update.
The security concerns in western Uganda come at a time when national police statistics indicate an overall decline in reported crime, although serious offences remain a concern.
According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, a total of 196,405 criminal cases were reported countrywide in 2025, compared with 218,715 in 2024, representing a 10.2 per cent reduction.
The national crime rate also declined from 476 cases per 100,000 people in 2024 to 427.8 in 2025, according to figures cited by the Justice, Law and Order Sector. However, the report highlights continuing challenges in specific crime categories and locations.
Police have urged residents to strengthen neighbourhood security arrangements, share information with authorities and report suspicious activities promptly. The force has also said it will intensify community policing and intelligence-led operations in areas identified as crime hotspots.
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