Mbale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Asumin Nasike has raised alarm over the escalating cases of murder and violent crime in the city, following a spate of deadly attacks within just one month. The latest incidents have left residents fearful and authorities scrambling to restore order in the Eastern Uganda municipality.
Recent Murders Shock the Community.
Recent Murders Shock the Community.
The most recent victim, Brian Waniala, a procurement and logistics graduate, was brutally attacked on March 9 by a suspected gang of teenage criminals along Mukamba Road. Waniala was walking home after watching a football match between Liverpool and Newcastle when the assailants ambushed him, stole his phone and wallet, and severely beat him.
Though initially surviving the assault, Waniala’s condition deteriorated five days later. A CT scan revealed a blood clot in his brain, prompting emergency surgery at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Tragically, he died on the operating table on March 17, moments after his father signed the consent forms for the procedure.
This week, another gruesome murder occurred when an unidentified man killed a 15-year-old Nakaloke Secondary School student at a lodge in Namakwekwe, Industrial City Division. Local reports indicate that at least seven people have been murdered in Mbale in March alone, raising concerns over the city’s deteriorating security situation.
Security Officials Call for Collective Action
While addressing the media ,the RCC , Asumin Nasike emphasized the need for a joint effort between security agencies, local leaders, and residents to curb the rising crime wave.
“This insecurity requires collective efforts. We cannot allow criminal elements to terrorize our people,” Nasike stated. “We have intensified patrols and intelligence operations to crack down on these gangs.”
Mbale has previously struggled with violent crimes, particularly involving machete-wielding youth on motorcycles. In 2024, similar attacks left several people dead and injured, prompting temporary police crackdowns. However, the recent surge suggests that criminal gangs have resurfaced with renewed boldness.
Delayed Medical Attention: A Silent Killer.
Waniala’s death also highlights a critical issue in Uganda’s healthcare system—delayed reporting of injuries, which often leads to preventable deaths. Many victims of violent attacks seek medical attention too late, either due to financial constraints or underestimating the severity of their injuries. In Waniala’s case, the five-day gap between the assault and his hospitalization may have contributed to the fatal outcome.
Residents Demand Stronger Security Measures
Local leaders and residents are now calling for more robust security interventions, including increased police visibility, community policing initiatives, and stricter enforcement against known criminal hotspots.
“We cannot live in fear every day,” said one resident. “The government must act decisively before more lives are lost.”
As authorities ramp up efforts to restore order, the people of Mbale remain on edge, hoping for an end to the violence that has plagued their city.
“We cannot live in fear every day,” said one resident. “The government must act decisively before more lives are lost.”
As authorities ramp up efforts to restore order, the people of Mbale remain on edge, hoping for an end to the violence that has plagued their city.
