Thirteen soldiers, reportedly attached to the Presidential Taskforce on Land Matters and Environment, were arrested on Monday following a violent attack on the Wakiso Police Division in connection with a land dispute.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 5:00 PM when a group of UPDF soldiers, traveling in a military minibus, stormed the division headquarters and confronted Division Police Commander (DPC) SP Esther Kiiza regarding an ongoing land eviction.
“On June 2, 2025, at around 5:00 PM, police officers at Wakiso Police Division were attacked by military personnel, reportedly from the Presidential Taskforce on Land Matters and Environment,” read a police statement issued Monday evening. “The soldiers were traveling in a green minibus, registration number UBG 041U, and a Toyota Noah, UBR 647B.”
The soldiers, thirteen in total allegedly demanded the DPC assist in enforcing a land eviction. However, SP Kiiza refused, citing the absence of a court order and lack of approval from the district security committee.
While the DPC was attempting to consult her superiors by phone, one of the soldiers, reportedly holding the rank of Warrant Officer, forcibly snatched her phone.
Moments later, other soldiers surrounded her office and opened fire, according to a police source.
The situation escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the intruding soldiers and police officers on duty, prompting the soldiers to flee the scene.
A joint operation involving officers from the Kampala Metropolitan North Region and UPDF units tracked the suspects to Yesu Amala in Wakiso District.
All thirteen were arrested and taken into custody. Authorities have confirmed that disciplinary proceedings are currently underway.
This marks the second such incident in recent weeks involving UPDF soldiers attacking police officers in Wakiso over land-related conflicts.
In a previous case, military personnel raided a police station, assaulted officers, and forcibly freed a detainee, sparking public outrage and raising concerns about growing inter-agency indiscipline.
