KAMPALA — Security agencies are piecing together a complex narrative following the death of a Kampala-based medical doctor, identified as Dr. Ivan Kasule, who was shot during an alleged robbery in Wakiso district on Saturday, Aug. 16. Police sources indicate Kasule, a former Mulago National Referral Hospital employee, was “put out of action” by an accomplice while attempting to rob a shop in Kakandwa, Kakiri town council.
The incident also claimed the life of businessman Herman Kiyaga, who was shot during the robbery. Police reports suggest Kasule was gunned down during a struggle over a bag of stolen money.
A joint team from the Police Flying Squad and the Criminal Investigations Directorate searched Kasule’s body, recovering a mobile phone and documents that aided his identification and led investigators to his alleged accomplices. An AK-47 rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, was later recovered.
Kasule, born in January 1994, identified himself on his X platform as a medical doctor and researcher specializing in herbal medicine for cancer. Security sources indicated a relative in security may have provided him with firearms training. He reportedly left Mulago Hospital to open his own medical facility under Nimlang Company Limited.
The Kakiri Incident and Initial Clues
Veronica Tumalempaka, Kiyaga’s wife, recounted the attack occurring around 9:30 p.m. She said a man, later identified as Clovis Asiimwe, entered their shop pretending to be a customer, asking for soap, sugar, and tea leaves just before gunmen stormed in. Asiimwe was injured in the attack.
Police suspect Asiimwe acted as a “raker,” surveying the target before the robbery. Closed-circuit television footage from the shop reportedly shows him signaling toward the direction from which the gunmen emerged. Asiimwe, however, denies involvement.
“He told us he is a resident of Mabondwe, a village far from Kikandwa where the incident occurred,” an investigator said, questioning why Asiimwe would travel such a distance for basic groceries. Asiimwe is currently receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital under heavy security, with investigators optimistic he will provide crucial information.
Arrests and Confessions Detail Organized Crime
An intelligence-led operation led Flying Squad operatives to arrest Gerald Miyingo, a motorcycle taxi rider and gas cylinder shop owner in Kanyanaya, Kawempe division. Miyingo allegedly confessed to connections with Kasule and others, leading police to Iddi Konde (the alleged shooter) and Sulaiman Ninsiima, also known as Black, both residents of Namawojjolo in Mukono district. Police are still searching for other suspects, including Alex Kayibanda and a man identified only as Martin.
On Friday last week, Konde allegedly led police to a swamp near a brick-laying site in Kikandwa, where the killer rifle was recovered. Konde reportedly told police he was recruited into the group by Kayibanda and Ninsiima.
“I used to carry out agriculture on a rented piece of land in Mukono, but things did not work out for me, so I embarked on drilling underground water wells but the situation remained the same until my friends; Kayibanda and Black introduced me to Dr. Kasule and I joined the robbery,” Konde reportedly said.
He claimed his muscular build led to him being assigned the role of carrying the gun and shooting when necessary. He added that Kasule personally trained him and three others in gun use along Mubende Road about a year ago.
Miyingo claimed he met Kasule through Martin after a mob attack in Kinaawa, where he was injured during a botched smartphone and handbag snatching. Miyingo said Martin often referred to Kasule as “Doctor” and the AK-47 as “Omwana,” meaning “baby.” Miyingo stated that Kasule later invited him to his Maganjo home and outlined planned robbery missions.
Links to Previous Violent Robberies
Investigations have revealed that the armed group, allegedly led by the late Dr. Kasule, is linked to several violent robberies in Wakiso and Mukono districts before the Kakiri incident.
On June 10, the gang reportedly raided A&B Supermarket near the Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine in Wakiso. During that robbery, they shot and killed Amos Olukan, 25, a private guard with Champion Security. An eyewitness described masked robbers entering the supermarket with a machete and hammer, while one member with an AK-47 remained outside. The armed member reportedly shot Olukan as his accomplices emerged from the store, and they fled on two waiting motorcycles.
The same group is also linked to the shooting of Enock Katabira during a robbery at Nakoosi trading center in Mukono district on July 23. Armed with an AK-47, a machete, and a hammer, the assailants allegedly robbed several shops and injured multiple people, including an agro-inputs dealer and a hardware shop operator.
The gang is also connected to the killing of Deo Bwanika, 47, a businessman in Kiteegombwa–Nangabo, Kasangati, Wakiso district, on Aug. 13. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said Bwanika, who operated a wholesale shop, was robbed of an unspecified amount of money before being shot dead.
Mulago Hospital’s Response and Rising Crime
Mulago Hospital administrator Dr. David Nuwamanya denied knowledge of Dr. Ivan Kasule as an employee, stating they had a “Dr. Ivan Kisuule.” However, another Mulago source, speaking anonymously, confirmed Kasule had worked there but left during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police reports indicate a nationwide increase in robberies, with 8,163 cases reported in 2024, including 3,116 aggravated robberies involving lethal weapons. This marks a 5% rise from 2023.
Francis Namugera, Bwanika’s brother, expressed gratitude for the ongoing investigation but stated the family wishes to “face those killers one-on-one.” Bwanika left behind a wife and eight children.
