LUBOWA, Uganda — A lieutenant from the Special Forces Command (SFC), the elite unit guarding President Yoweri Museveni, and 12 other soldiers are facing charges of aggravated robbery and assault following a brazen raid on Lubowa Police Station on Wednesday afternoon.
According to police reports released Thursday, Lt. Samson Amo led the assault on ASP Innocent Sunday, the Lubowa police station commander, along with four other officers: IP Claire Kisa, Sgt. Kabaho, Sgt. Njose, and Constable Tubwita.
The Kampala Metropolitan South regional police headquarters has opened a formal case against Lt. Amo and his group.
Salama Namutosi, the Kajjansi Division Police Commander (DPC), detailed the incident in a report to Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Richard Echega.
The report states that the confrontation began around 2 p.m. when ASP Sunday received a call from an individual identifying himself as Lt. Samson Amo of the UPDF (SFC), instructing him to detain suspects arrested during an operation in Lubowa.
“The OC asked what operation it was and the offence against the people he wanted to be detained. The Lt instead responded by abusing the OC that he should stop being stupid,” Namutosi wrote. ASP Sunday then invited Lt. Amo and a soldier identified as RA 250778 Private Opio Emmanuel into his office to clarify the situation.
However, before any discussion could take place, approximately 12 armed UPDF soldiers arrived in a military vehicle, registration number H4DF 3348, surrounded the station, and held officers and civilians at gunpoint.
ASP Sunday reported that the soldiers proceeded to beat him, other officers, and civilians who were at the station.
The assault continued until a crowd gathered, prompting the soldiers to flee. Police noted that the eight individuals brought in by Lt. Amo as suspects were severely assaulted, with six requiring admission to Doctor’s Hospital for treatment.
“The reason as to why Lt Samson and the group had arrested these eight suspects is yet to be established because he could not explain to OC the issue,” Namutosi added. The full extent of injuries to civilians remains unknown, as many victims fled the scene. Additionally, three police officers had their phones stolen, along with belongings from several civilians.
Namutosi confirmed that the injured victims were evacuated and that cases of aggravated robbery and attempted murder have been officially opened against Lt. Samson Amo and the soldiers involved. The Kampala South Regional Police Commander has reinforced the Lubowa police station with six additional officers to replace those injured.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the reasons behind the initial arrests and to fully assess the conduct of the UPDF soldiers involved in the raid.
Acting UPDF Spokesperson, Col. Chris Magezi, had not yet responded to inquiries regarding potential army action against the implicated soldiers.
This incident follows a similar raid on Lumuli Police Station by UPDF soldiers two years prior.
