KIRA, WAKISO — Community vigilance paid off on Saturday when residents of Kijabijo Cell in Kimwanyi Ward, Kira Municipality, alerted police to a hidden weapon inside a dilapidated building undergoing demolition. Officers from Kasangati Police Station swiftly responded and recovered an AK-47 assault rifle along with a store of ammunition.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala confirmed the recovery, stating that the structure had previously been occupied by individuals believed to be notorious criminals. One of the former occupants was earlier arrested in connection with the 2024 shooting of a mobile money attendant in Ntinda.
“The building was reportedly previously occupied by individuals believed to be notorious criminals. One of the former occupants was arrested in connection with the shooting of a mobile money attendant in Ntinda in 2024,” SP Kawala said.
The firearm and ammunition have been submitted for ballistic and forensic examination. Investigators aim to establish the weapon’s ownership history and determine whether it was used in other unresolved violent crimes across the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Police are actively working to identify and apprehend any other individuals who may be linked to the abandoned rifle. The recovery forms part of intensified operations targeting armed robberies and violent crime in and around the capital.
Residents who tipped off the authorities described noticing suspicious items as demolition works progressed on the neglected structure. Their prompt action prevented the weapon from potentially falling into the wrong hands or remaining hidden indefinitely.
Security analysts note that such recoveries highlight the importance of community-police partnerships. Abandoned firearms in urban and peri-urban areas of Wakiso and Kampala have repeatedly surfaced in recent years, often connected to past robberies, shootings, or criminal hideouts.
The 2024 Ntinda incident, in which a mobile money agent was shot, remains one of several cases police continue to investigate through forensic leads. Linking the recovered AK-47 to that shooting, if confirmed by ballistics, could provide critical breakthroughs for investigators.
SP Kawala urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or abandoned items to the nearest police station. She emphasised that timely information from residents continues to play a decisive role in disrupting criminal networks.
As forensic experts examine the rifle and ammunition, police have secured the demolition site and continue canvassing the neighbourhood for additional leads. Authorities have not released further details on the quantity of ammunition recovered or the exact condition of the firearm pending laboratory analysis.
This latest recovery comes amid sustained efforts by the Uganda Police Force to reduce the circulation of illegal firearms in the greater Kampala area. Similar operations in recent months have yielded arrests and the seizure of weapons linked to aggravated robberies in Wakiso and neighbouring districts.
For now, the focus remains on tracing the full chain of custody of the AK-47 and bringing any remaining associates of the former occupants to justice. Residents of Kira and surrounding areas have welcomed the swift police response, expressing hope that such proactive measures will enhance security in their communities.Police continue to appeal for information that could help identify other persons of interest connected to the abandoned weapon. Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to contact Kasangati Police Station or the nearest law enforcement p
Police Recover Abandoned AK-47 Linked to 2024 Ntinda Shooting in Kira Demolition Site
