HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Police have mounted a spirited defence of the dramatic shooting incident that sent hundreds of traders and shoppers fleeing for their lives in downtown Kampala, insisting that officers had no choice but to fire warning shots after a violent crowd attempted to frustrate the lawful arrest of suspects at Kisekka Market.
The incident, which unfolded at about 6 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Original Kisekka Spare Centre in Nakivubo Cell, Nakasero III Ward, triggered widespread public outrage after videos circulated on social media showing armed men in plain clothes discharging live rounds into the air as terrified civilians scattered in all directions.
The footage quickly ignited debate about the conduct of security agencies, with many Ugandans questioning the wisdom of firing weapons in one of Kampala’s busiest commercial centres during business hours.
However, Uganda Police Force spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke defended the operation, maintaining that the officers acted within the law and used the gunfire solely to disperse an unruly crowd that had become violent while attempting to block arrests.
“We have taken note of a viral video circulating on social media showing armed security officers firing shots into the air,” Rusoke said in a statement issued after the incident.
According to Rusoke, the operation had been carefully planned as a joint security mission targeting suspected offenders operating from the Original Kisekka Spare Centre.
He explained that the officers encountered unexpected resistance when a section of the public allegedly turned hostile in an effort to prevent the arrests from taking place.
“A group of people became violent during the operation and tried to stop the officers from arresting the suspects,” Rusoke said.
“In order to disperse the unruly crowd and restore order, the officers fired warning shots into the air.”
Police said the operation was eventually brought under control, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
Authorities, however, stopped short of identifying the suspects, disclosing the offences they are alleged to have committed or revealing the specific security unit involved in the operation. The absence of these details has fuelled further speculation and criticism from sections of the public.
Videos recorded by eyewitnesses painted a chaotic scene as gunshots rang out in the crowded market, causing traders to abandon their merchandise while pedestrians sprinted in different directions seeking safety.
Some witnesses initially believed unknown armed men were attempting to abduct an individual before opening fire, largely because the security personnel involved were dressed in civilian clothing rather than official police uniforms.
The use of plain-clothed armed operatives has become one of the central issues raised by critics, who argue that members of the public cannot easily distinguish between legitimate security officers and armed criminals.
Among the strongest critics was National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who condemned the manner in which the operation was conducted.
Kyagulanyi argued that deploying armed personnel in plain clothes and allowing them to fire weapons in a crowded public space only heightened fear among ordinary citizens.
He further contended that such incidents undermine Uganda’s efforts to improve its international image, particularly at a time when the United States has maintained a Level Four travel advisory warning its citizens against travelling to Uganda because of security concerns.
According to Kyagulanyi, scenes of armed men firing live rounds in Kampala’s central business district make it difficult for government officials to reassure potential visitors that the country is safe.
Police, however, rejected suggestions that the officers acted recklessly, insisting that the warning shots were a measured response to an escalating security situation.
Security experts note that while warning shots are recognised under certain operational circumstances, their use in densely populated urban environments remains highly controversial because of the potential danger posed by falling bullets and the panic they can trigger.
The Kisekka Market incident has therefore reignited debate over the balance between effective law enforcement and public safety. As investigations continue, many Ugandans are calling for greater transparency regarding the identities of the arrested suspects, the security unit involved and the operational guidelines governing the use of firearms during arrests in crowded public spaces.
