Ugandan security agencies are investigating coordinated overnight attacks that targeted a police barracks in Kasese District and later spread to Bundibugyo. The incidents have caused tension among residents and renewed fears of insecurity along Uganda’s western border.
The first attack happened around midnight when unknown armed men stormed a police barracks in Kasese District and set one of the police houses on fire. Heavy gunfire broke out, forcing residents to stay indoors for safety. Part of the barracks compound was destroyed during the assault.
Police confirmed the incident but said investigations are still ongoing to identify the attackers. “We can confirm that an attack occurred at our barracks in Kasese. Investigations are underway, and we shall release full details soon,” a senior police spokesperson said.
Security sources reported that some of the assailants, armed with pangas and other weapons, were shot dead by security personnel during the confrontation. In response, joint police and army patrols have been intensified across Kasese District to prevent further attacks.
By early morning, a second round of gunfire was reported in Bundibugyo District, about 80 kilometers away. Authorities believe the attackers may have crossed from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Security teams quickly moved in to engage the armed group.
A security officer confirmed the developments, saying, “We have reinforced our units and are dealing with the threat decisively.”
The coordinated nature of the assaults has raised suspicions that they could be linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group operating from eastern DRC known for similar cross-border attacks. However, police said no clear connection has yet been established.
By Saturday afternoon, both Kasese and Bundibugyo districts remained under tight security as investigations continued. Residents have been urged to remain calm and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.