By KT Reporter
Residents of Ntawo Village in Mukono Municiplaity continue to mourn their Police Officer in Charge who was murdered by armed assailants who ambushe the deceased with a cllleague, killing him and critically injuring the other before stealing their gun and fleeing on a motor cycle.
The slain officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Emanuel Bagenda, was the Officer in Charge of Ntaawo Police Station. His colleague, Police Constable Jackson Kiyinji, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Nakasero Hospital in critical condition.
According to residents living near the scene, the attack occurred at around 4:00 a.m. moments after the officers had reportedly confronted suspected thieves in the Kiwala, an area that has of recent experienced increasing thefts.
One resident who witnessed parts of the incidentnarrated that the officers had intercepted the suspects who riding a motorcycle. Believing the thieves had surrendered, the officers approached cautiously — only for the suspects to outmaneuver them.
During the confrontation, the attackers revved up their motorcycle, causing sudden confusion, then rammed into the officers’ motorcycle, registration number 879GQ, sending both officers crashing to the ground.
Kiyingi, who was carrying a gun, fell down and ccording to the resident, one attacker immediately shot him in the arm, snatched the gun, and shot him again in the back and neck.
Bagenda attempted to defend himself a but one of the assailants shot him in the leg. Bagenda dragged and rolled himself away as the masked man went after him shooting at him again and again.
“They fired about thirty bullets at the fallen OC as they ran after him,” the reident recalled. “His body riddled with bullets, the OC staggered and fell into a trench.”
The chaos sent residents scrambling for safety as the assailants disappeared into the darkness with the stolen gun. After the attackers fled, residents gathered around the wounded Kiyinji. Bagenda, however, was missing.
Shortly after, Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, who lives nearby, arrived with a vehicle and rushed the injured officer to Namirembe Hospital before he was later transferred to Nakasero.
A community search for Bagenda began immediately. Two hours later, a passerby discovered his body along the roadside.
“He was lying face down in a pool of blood,” the resident recounted. “He had three bullet wounds in the head.” Police later retrieved the body and transported it to the mortuary.
As the attack occurred close to the homes of Gen. Nalweyiso and former Mukono North MP Ronald Kibuule, security forces were at hand to maintain a heavy presence in the area throughout the night.
Leaders and residents expressed deep sorrow at the loss of ASP Bagenda, describing him as a hardworking and committed officer who had dedicated his life to fighting crime in the area.
“He always responded quickly whenever there was a problem,” said Ssalongo Fredrick Ddamulira, a local leader. “Just recently, he arrested thieves who were operating using a taxi, which is still parked at the station. His death is a big blow.”
Ddamulira added that the community has endured a series of violent robberies in recent weeks, including the killing of a mobile money agent and several armed shop robberies.
Mukono District Speaker Betty Hope Nakasi visited the crime scene and condemned the attack. She urged the government to expand CCTV camera coverage in rural and peri-urban areas to ease criminal tracking.
Nakasi also appealed to contractors working on the GMKA road project to expedite installation of streetlights, noting that darkness has contributed to insecurity.
The Assistant RDC for Mukono Municipality, Godfrey Mwogeza, warned residents against making unnecessary late-night movements.
He assured the community that security operations would be intensified.
“Government is committed to restoring safety here and ee shall not allow criminals to take advantage of our people,” Mwogeza said.
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