WAKISO, Uganda | June 2, 2025 — Thirteen soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), reportedly attached to the Presidential Taskforce on Land Matters and Environment, have been arrested following an armed confrontation with police officers at Wakiso Police Division over a land dispute.
The incident occurred at around 5:00 PM when the group, traveling in a green minibus (registration number UBG 041U) and a Toyota Noah (registration UBR 647B), stormed the police station and demanded the intervention of the Division Police Commander (DPC) to assist in what appeared to be a forced land eviction.
However, the DPC declined the request, citing the absence of a valid court order and the lack of clearance from the Wakiso District Security Committee. Her decision reportedly enraged the soldiers, who became confrontational.
According to police, an armed standoff ensued when the station officers responded with force, leading to an exchange of gunfire that forced the soldiers to retreat and flee the scene.
A joint security operation was immediately launched by Kampala Metropolitan North Police and UPDF units. The suspects were intercepted and arrested later in the evening at Yesu Amala in Wakiso District.
All thirteen soldiers are currently in custody awaiting disciplinary procedures.
“The law is clear. No eviction should be enforced without a lawful court order and coordination through the established district security structures,” said a senior police official who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Investigations are ongoing, and both the police and UPDF are expected to release a joint statement addressing the security breach and outlining the next steps regarding disciplinary action.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the role of security agencies in land disputes and the importance of inter-agency coordination and rule of law in handling such matters.
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