Authorities in Kampala have heightened security measures in the Central Business District (CBD) after a rise in violent incidents involving gang groups that ambush pedestrians, punch them, and steal their valuables. These groups, mainly youths between 18 and 25, operate in several hotspot zones, including the New and Old Taxi Parks, Nabugabo Road, Kisenyi, Clock Tower, and both Johnson and William streets.

Police say the assailants usually prey on vulnerable people such as women, elderly persons, and pedestrians navigating crowded areas during busy hours. A Nakivubo Police Post officer, who preferred anonymity, revealed that the attackers sometimes use iron knuckles or other metal tools hidden in their hands, often knocking victims unconscious.

"We're seeing these cases daily, where people are being punched in congested areas around the parks, Namirembe Road, Nabugabo, and up to Kikubo, by these criminals. We've intensified our operations and apprehended some of them, but their accomplices are cunning and shift their areas of operation to avoid arrest," the officer said.

One of the latest victims, Penina Kabalungi, a tech shop attendant on Ben Kiwanuka Street, collapsed after being struck in the face. Bystanders managed to stop the gang from taking her phone. Still undergoing treatment, she explained that she had been followed from Centenary Bank in Kikubo after withdrawing 200,000 shillings and was on her way to Ham Shopping Arcade when she was attacked.

Kabalungi believes her assailant used a metallic object, which caused a cut on her face. She briefly lost consciousness and only woke up after people splashed water on her. Now dealing with swelling and constant headaches, she is calling on police to identify and arrest the attacker.

A similar attack was reported by Frank Mwange near the Old Taxi Park. He was ambushed as he prepared to board a taxi to Bunamwaya and was punched before the gang stole his phone. Mwange said the group had positioned themselves near the park entrance around 10:00 pm. When he resisted, he was violently struck. "One man came from behind and touched me on the back. When I turned around, they said, 'Give me your phone.' I tried to run away, and he punched me in the face with a lot of energy. I lost the bag, and they took off," Mwange said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Rachel Kawala confirmed that security has been intensified in the CBD, with both plain-clothes and uniformed officers deployed to collect intelligence and pursue gang members. "Our teams are on daily patrols in the CBD and across the KMP area, with officers on foot, motorcycles, and covert operatives gathering intelligence. This will help us dismantle the networks behind these attacks. We plan to increase the number of officers in the area soon during these festival seasons that has started with this kind of criminality," Kawala said.

She advised the public to remain vigilant, cautioning that carrying large sums of cash increases the likelihood of being targeted. Kawala also urged victims to report incidents promptly to support ongoing investigations.

These incidents echo similar gang attacks recorded in 2024, when groups used flying kicks to incapacitate people. Although many suspects were arrested and charged at the time, police fear that lenient court decisions may enable some offenders to return to the streets.