Section
Recent crime coverage and related updates from across Uganda Online.
crime 23 March 2026
Uganda Police have arrested 78 suspected criminals linked to a surge in robberies along the Kampala Northern Bypass, where road repairs have caused heavy traffic jams. The operations target gangs exploiting the Namungoona-Bwaise section, with recovered items including multiple smartphones. Source: https://observer.ug/news/northern-bypass-robberies-78-suspected-thugs-arrested
crime 23 March 2026
Six Ugandan suspects have been charged with electronic fraud for allegedly manipulating Equity Bank's system in Kigali to steal over Rwf 4.9 billion (Shs12.6 billion) and remanded as investigations proceed. The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court adjourned the case to April 13 for bail verification. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/six-ugandans-remanded-over-shs12-6b-equity-bank-fraud-across-kigali-kampala-5400396
crime 22 March 2026
Armed gangs on boda bodas and on foot are targeting motorists and pedestrians in traffic jams along the Kampala-Masaka highway, especially in the Busega-Kyengera area. Police have arrested four suspects and recovered stolen phones after a businesswoman reported her bag snatched. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kampala-masaka-highway-robberies-return-5399468
crime 21 March 2026
In a landmark case, Ugandan police used DNA evidence for the first time to arrest and convict a cake decorator for the 1983 and 1986 murders of two 15-year-old girls, after initial investigations stalled. The breakthrough came after testing thousands of samples and uncovering a cover-up at a local bakery. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/insight/the-first-time-dna-was-used-to-arrest-a-killer-5398332
Health 21 March 2026
Mulago National Referral Hospital is battling a network of fake medical staff who pose as doctors and charge desperate patients for free services. Recent arrests highlight involvement of security guards in allowing hawkers to operate through bribery schemes. Source: https://observer.ug/news/how-mulago-hospitals-fake-doctors-are-preying-on-the-vulnerable-patients
crime 19 March 2026
Prison authorities in Iganga failed to produce key suspect Musa Ekye, a traditional healer charged with the ritual murder of 5-year-old Sarah Namutebi, prompting outrage from the victim's family. The case has been postponed to April 14 amid fears of mishandling. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/worry-as-key-suspect-in-iganga-child-sacrifice-case-fails-to-show-up-in-court-5397232
crime 19 March 2026
A prison warder died after a colleague enlisted a witch doctor to recover a stolen motorcycle using a magic potion, affecting several staff members. The incident sparks debate on media reporting of occult practices amid calls for ethical, balanced coverage. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/columnists/charles-bichachi/of-stolen-motorbike-and-witchcraft-in-the-prison-5397162
news 19 March 2026
The High Court denied bail to former Senior Superintendent of Police Nickson Agasiirwe Karuhanga, accused in the 2015 assassination of state prosecutor Joan Kagezi, due to the severity of charges and risks of absconding and witness tampering. Justice Isaac Muwata outlined seven factors prioritizing justice over release amid ongoing probes into multiple capital offences. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/7-reasons-court-dismissed-ssp-agasiirwe-s-bail-5397068
crime 19 March 2026
A 31-year-old housewife, Elizabeth Mbabazi, was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty in a Shs725 million attempted fraud at Stanbic Bank. She immediately testified against her co-accused, detailing how she was lured into the scheme. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/shs725m-stanbic-bank-fraud-case-housewife-jailed-6-months-turned-state-witness--5396938
news 19 March 2026
The High Court has once again rejected bail for former Senior Superintendent of Police Nickson Agasiirwe, ruling that the serious murder charge and multiple ongoing capital investigations outweigh his right to liberty. Justice Isaac Muwata emphasized the risk of interference with justice if he is released. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/former-police-boss-agasiirwe-denied-bail-again-5396280
crime 19 March 2026
A 30-year-old teacher at Nampiido Primary School in Budaka District has been detained over claims of aggravated defilement of a Primary Seven pupil. The incident reportedly occurred after he lured her from class to a hotel, leading to his arrest by locals. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nampiido-primary-school-teacher-arrested-for-allegedly-defiling-pupil-5396270
crime 18 March 2026
Abraham Opedun, a security guard employed by Safetec Security Company Ltd, has been remanded to custody over allegations of setting fire to a forex bureau in Kampala and stealing from it. He appeared in court on Wednesday facing the serious charges. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/security-guard-remanded-over-kampala-forex-bureau-fire-theft-5395990
crime 18 March 2026
Mob actions are resurging across Bukedi's villages and towns due to residents' frustration with slow police responses, frequent bail releases, and perceived corruption in the justice system. Authorities urge communities to report crimes and allow proper investigations instead of taking the law into their own hands. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-mob-action-is-making-a-comeback-in-bukedi-region-5395802
crime 17 March 2026
An unidentified woman disguised as a medical officer stole a three-day-old baby girl from Kiganda Health Centre IV in Kassanda District on March 15, 2026. Police are investigating and urging the public to report suspicious cases of women with newborns. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/impostor-steals-3-day-old-baby-from-kiganda-health-centre-iv-5394828
news 17 March 2026
A 30-year-old electrician in Serere district has been sentenced to four years in prison for damaging UEDCL electricity installations and disrupting power supply. The court emphasized the need for a deterrent amid rising vandalism cases causing outages and financial losses. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/serere-man-convicted-4-years-for-vandalising-electricity-power-installations-5394798
news 17 March 2026
Gloria Grace Laker, a Law Development Centre student interning at Gulu High Court, secured bail of Shs 500,000 after her arrest for allegedly leaking court register details related to charges against Bobi Wine. She is set to return to court on April 15, 2026. Source: https://observer.ug/news/intern-accused-of-sharing-gulu-high-court-register-details-granted-bail
education 17 March 2026
Amahoro Secondary School in Wakiso district has refuted allegations that a teacher beat Senior Two student Majorline Nantumbwe to death after accusing her of faking illness. The student's mother claims the school delayed informing her while the girl deteriorated, but police note no formal complaint has been filed. Source: https://observer.ug/news/amahoro-ss-denies-beating-to-death-s-2-student
crime 16 March 2026
Over 40 individuals, including parents and farm owners, have been detained in Mayuge district for employing minors on sugarcane plantations during a targeted operation against child labor. More than 120 children have been returned to school as part of the initiative to boost attendance. Source: https://observer.ug/news/over-40-arrested-for-employing-minors-on-sugarcane-plantations-in-mayuge
Politics 16 March 2026
Entebbe Mayor is connected to a suspicious Shs270 million bank transfer allegedly linked to the M23 rebel group. A Ugandan bank has been cleared in the related investigation. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/entebbe-mayor-rulinda-linked-to-suspicious-shs270m-transfer-allegedly-tied-to-m23-5393386
crime 16 March 2026
Authorities in Arua City arrested 31-year-old Rose Ederu after discovering over 100 kilograms of marijuana in her possession, intended for transport to Kampala via bus. The interception followed a tip-off at a bus terminal, highlighting ongoing drug trafficking issues in the region. Source: https://observer.ug/news/woman-arrested-with-over-100kgs-of-marijuana-in-arua
crime 16 March 2026
Authorities in eastern Uganda have detained five young men from Soroti District suspected of trying to rob a motorcyclist on the Soroti-Moroto Road. The arrests came swiftly after the victim escaped and alerted police, who recovered weapons from the scene. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/five-arrested-over-suspected-road-robberies-along-soroti-moroto-road-5393002
crime 16 March 2026
A 31-year-old woman testified in Gulu High Court that herbalist Alfred Oryem raped her three times in 2018, claiming sex was needed to treat her epilepsy, leading to her pregnancy and birth of a six-year-old child. The case continues with more witnesses expected. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/woman-tells-court-herbalist-raped-her-repeatedly-claiming-it-would-cure-epilepsy-5392606
crime 14 March 2026
Self-proclaimed Bishop Rauben Turyasingura of Serenity Foundation Ministries has been committed to the High Court for trial after allegedly sodomizing his 21-year-old barber at his Kawempe residence during the Christmas period. Buganda Road chief magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa approved the committal following completed investigations by prosecutors. Source: https://observer.ug/news/kawempe-pastor-committed-to-high-court-for-sodomizing-barber
news 14 March 2026
Crime rates in Uganda, including burglaries, motorcycle thefts, and street robberies, double during the rainy season compared to dry months due to poor visibility, noise cover, and reduced patrols. Security experts recommend CCTV and alarms to counter the surge. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/insight/surge-in-crime-explained-it-never-rains-but-it-pours-5390588
crime 13 March 2026
In a chilling 1935 case, forensic experts pieced together 70 body parts from a stream, identifying them as belonging to a doctor's wife and maid, both killed by the anatomically skilled physician driven by pathological jealousy. Advanced forensics, including photographic superimposition, led to his conviction and hanging. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/insight/gruesome-murder-mystery-doctor-kills-dismembers-wife-and-maid-5382576
crime 13 March 2026
A four-year-old boy from Mubende District was abducted from his home, with kidnappers demanding Shs6 million ransom that the family couldn't fully pay, leading to his murder. His body was found in a pit latrine, and the suspect has been arrested and charged with murder. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/4-year-old-boy-kidnapped-murdered-after-parents-fail-to-pay-shs6m-ransom-5389914
crime 13 March 2026
Six individuals, among them three Rwandan refugees, have been remanded to Luzira prison for their alleged role in a brutal Shs 63 million robbery at Gwanda Shopping Mall in Kisenyi, Kampala. They face charges of aggravated robbery and conspiracy, with the next court date set for March 30. Source: https://observer.ug/news/three-rwandan-refugees-remanded-over-panga-attack-robbery-in-kisenyi
crime 12 March 2026
Authorities in Iganga are searching for Anthony Kalulu, suspected of killing his 56-year-old mother Sylvia Bakulimya over a land dispute and burying her body inside their house. The gruesome discovery followed family concerns and revealed bloodied evidence at the scene. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-hunt-man-over-alleged-killing-burial-of-mother-inside-house-in-iganga-5389518
crime 12 March 2026
A 26-year-old boda boda rider suspected of stealing a motorcycle was shot dead by police in Kisoro while trying to escape arrest. The involved officers are under investigation as authorities probe the incident. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/suspect-shot-dead-while-attempting-to-flee-arrest-in-kisoro-police--5389442
crime 20 February 2026
Ugandan security forces have detained 41-year-old Musasizi Herbert in Gulu District over the brutal killing of 18-year-old student Bukenya Martin in Wakiso. The incident occurred after the teen was discovered at the suspect's home with his 14-year-old daughter. Source: https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/42507/suspect-arrested-over-murder-of-student-in-wakiso
crime 15 February 2026
Authorities have detained Taewaiko Dak Hussein, a former house help of the victim, in Budaka District while possessing her property, marking a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Uganda Christian University's Dean of Students. Officials warn that additional arrests may follow as probes continue. Source: https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/42463/key-suspect-arrested-in-connection-with-murder-of-ucu-dean