Busia, Uganda — Police in Busia District have arrested two men and recovered a pistol during a night patrol operation aimed at curbing rising criminal activity in the area.
According to a press statement issued by Bukedi South Regional Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP) Moses Mugwe, the arrests were made in the early hours of Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at around 12:40 a.m., in Sofia A Cell, Eastern Division, Busia Municipality.
The suspects were identified as:
Abass Nsubuga, 60, a plumber and resident of Ndejje Bongole in Zanta Village, Wakiso District. His ancestral home is in Buyenga Village, Butambala District.
Moses Nviri, 60, a mason and resident of Mutwetwe, Kibiibi Village, also in Butambala District.
“During the operation, police officers on patrol intercepted the two men and conducted a search. A black pistol marked 98722 was recovered from Nsubuga Abass. His colleague, Moses Nviri, was found in possession of a hammer,” IP Mugwe stated.
Other items recovered at the scene included face masks, a cap, and a bottle of Rwenzori mineral water containing an unidentified liquid.
The case has been registered at Busia Central Police Station under reference number CRB 690/2025.
IP Mugwe added that a joint team from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), Flying Squad, and Crime Intelligence (CI) visited the scene, recorded statements, and began interrogating the suspects.
Gun Crime Statistics Context
Police said investigations into the case are ongoing and further details will be shared in due course.
National crime statistics show that 188 cases of murder by shooting were reported across Uganda in 2024, compared to 300 cases in 2023—a 37% decrease. Of the 2024 cases, 34 were taken to court, 26 were dropped, while 128 remained under investigation.
A total of 205 persons were shot dead in 2024. Among them were:
178 male adults
19 female adults
7 male juveniles
1 female juvenile
By the end of 2024, 23 cases of murder by shooting were still pending trial in court.
