news 18 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Fugitive Cop Bahati Still at Large Over Kampala Driver Shooting as Police Face Scrutiny
Over 15 months after Police Constable Charles Bahati allegedly shot dead truck driver Julius Ssemwaka in Kampala, the suspect remains fugitive, eroding public trust in the Uganda Police Force. Contrasting this stalled hunt, authorities swiftly arrested a prison warder across the border for a separate deadly rampage. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/insight/case-files-tale-of-two-shootings-as-bahati-remains-at-large-5427134
More than a year has passed since the fatal shooting of 32-year-old mini-truck driver Julius Ssemwaka on December 23, 2024, along Sezibwa Road near Nakasero State Lodge in Kampala. Police Constable Charles Bahati, from the VIP Protection Unit, allegedly fired the fatal shot after Ssemwaka refused to yield to a police van amid heavy traffic.
Eyewitnesses described how Bahati exited the patrol vehicle following a dispute, shot Ssemwaka once, then fled on a boda boda motorcycle with his weapon, evading colleagues who tried to stop him. As of April 18, 2026—481 days later—no arrest or court appearance has occurred, despite initial police promises of a search.
The case draws sharp criticism for police inaction. Private investigator Freddie David Egesa points to fugitives often escaping to neighboring countries and urges better use of technology for tracking. Friends of the victim express ongoing pain over the lack of updates, calling Ssemwaka a hardworking breadwinner.
In contrast, prison warder Moses Anguyo, accused of killing four people at Kiboga Prisons on February 23—including superiors and a toddler’s mother—was tracked to the DRC, arrested in a joint operation, and extradited swiftly. His relatives’ tips aided the capture.
Security analysts and activists like Samuel Buwembo highlight the disparity, questioning selective enforcement. Experts suggest the Police Standards Unit could revive such cold cases. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke defends ongoing efforts, challenging critics to provide evidence of protection and noting long-term successes in arrests.