Police shot dead a suspected robber in the early hours of Wednesday morning, who was found hiding in the ceiling of a shop in Njerere Village, Mukono Municipality. The deceased, identified as Andrew Ssemanda, is said to have been part of a group that scaled the shop roof, cut through an iron sheet, and packed merchandise into sacks.
However, a tenant in nearby houses reportedly heard the intruders and quietly alerted neighbours, who gathered in large numbers. Ssemanda became trapped inside the shop as his accomplices fled from the swelling crowd.
According to Raymond Tushabe, the shop owner, Ssemanda attempted to escape through the ceiling but found the premises surrounded. Police were alerted and responded to the scene.
“When police arrived, they asked the suspect to come down from the ceiling, but he refused. He later emerged armed with a panga and advanced toward one of the officers, prompting police to shoot him dead,” Tushabe said.
Rachael Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect was shot in self-defense. She added that the body was taken to the mortuary and that investigations are ongoing to identify his accomplices.
Johnson Wabuya, a member of the Njerere Village Local Council, said the incident has shocked residents, noting that Ssemanda was known as a hardworking young man engaged in welding.
“This boy was about 20 years old and appeared to be earning a decent living from welding. We are shocked that he has been killed in a robbery. Young people should learn to be content with what they have,” Wabuya said.
Another council member, Beatrice Kabuye, urged parents to guide their children and caution them against the temptation of quick money.
She emphasized that instilling values of contentment could help prevent youth from engaging in crime. URN