The Uganda Police Force has finally acknowledged the killing of a 30-year-old Diamond Trust Bank client in a violent mob attack in Kampala. The victim has been identified as Fahad Rubega, who was killed on 4th June 2026 after being attacked outside the Naalya bank branch in Kakawa Division. Witnesses say Rubega had gone to withdraw money, but a dispute broke out after the transaction when the bank manager accused him of previously obtaining funds through fraud.
As Rubega tried to leave the bank premises, a confrontation broke out. The bank manager allegedly instructed security guards to apprehend him, and they were joined by boda boda riders and the public who descended on him and subjected him to a severe beating.
Other bank customers reportedly intervened and rescued their fellow client Rubega from the mob, taking him back inside the bank. Police later picked him up and took him to Kiwatule Police Station to record statements. While at the station, his condition deteriorated. Police rushed him to Mulago Referral Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The case was recorded under CRB 06/04/26.
However, field officers who picked Rubega from the bank premises did not mention the mob attack in their initial account. Over the weekend, following his death, Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Racheal Kawala issued a statement refuting social media reports that anyone had been mobbed at the DTB Bank premises.
On Monday, Police Spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke apologized for the initial police statement that dismissed the incident as fake. He said the misrepresentation was unintended and resulted from a communication gap with Kiwatule Police Station, which suggested the incident had not occurred.
Kituuma said the attack stemmed from a rental dispute. One of Rubega’s clients had contacted him online searching for property, and Rubega presented himself as an estate agent. Investigations indicate that after inspecting premises in Kyanja and agreeing to rent of 3 million shillings per month, the client was instructed to deposit 12 million.
The amount covered three months’ rent plus a security deposit and was sent to a DTB bank account registered in the names of Lubega Fahad. When the client returned to the property, the caretaker informed him the house was not available for rent but was instead being offered for sale.
His efforts to reverse the transaction failed because the funds had already been withdrawn. He reported the matter to the bank, which advised him to also file a formal complaint with police.
Police say the bank alerted them a day later that Rubega had been sighted and arrested by security guards. “When officers arrived, the suspect had already been apprehended and looked weak, though there were no visible torture marks,” Kituuma said. “He was taken to Kiwatule, but his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to Mulago Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. The body was taken to City Mortuary for post-mortem.”
Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding both the alleged fraud and the subsequent mob action remain ongoing. Rubega’s death came barely days after Rugby Cranes star Sidney Gongondyo was killed in Naguru a fortnight ago by mob attack, an incident that have seen over 12 suspects, including Boda-boda riders apprehended-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
