Police in the Wamala Region have arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of two farm workers and the robbery of coffee and cash during an aggravated robbery in Kassanda District, marking a major breakthrough in investigations.
The suspects are alleged to have participated in the attack on the home of Mr. Lukwago in Lukira Village, Myanzi Sub-county, on July 2, 2026, where armed assailants killed a couple employed at the farm before escaping with an unspecified amount of money and seven bags of coffee.
According to Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi, the victims were identified as Ssali Joseph, 48, and his wife Mariza Regina.
“The attack left the community in fear and mourning. Since the incident, our investigators have worked tirelessly, following every lead until we achieved this significant breakthrough,” Kigozi said.
Police said Ssali Joseph’s body was discovered the day after the attack by residents led by the area Local Council I Chairperson, Sulaiman Kakinda, who reported the matter to Myanzi Police Station.
Mariza Regina’s body was later recovered on July 8 in the neighbouring village of Kyaseta, where it had been partially buried.
“Our investigators carefully examined every piece of evidence from the crime scene, and that process eventually led us to the suspects,” Kigozi explained.
The breakthrough began with the arrest of one suspect in Masaka City before investigators tracked down four others in Myanzi Sub-county.
The suspects have been identified as Joan Nakavuma, 38, a resident of Katwe in Masaka City; Kasumba Babangida, 26, a casual worker from Kalama LC I, Myanzi Parish; Meddy Nsereko, also known as Baamu Mukooki, 32, a resident of Kalama LC I; Damian Kule, 24, a farmer and boda boda rider from Kalama LC I; and John Yamulemye, also known as Doctor, 23, a casual worker from Kalama LC I.
Police said several exhibits have been recovered from the suspects, including motorcycles believed to have been used to transport the attackers to and from the crime scene.
“The recovery of these exhibits strengthens the evidence gathered so far and demonstrates the progress made during investigations,” Kigozi noted.
He said the operation demonstrates the growing capacity of police to investigate complex crimes through a combination of professional detectives and modern forensic technology.
“Today’s policing relies on both professional investigators and advanced technology, including forensic analysis, CCTV systems, tracking devices, canine units, and the Flying Squad. These capabilities are enabling us to solve complex crimes more effectively,” he said.
Kigozi, however, stressed that public cooperation remains critical in fighting crime.
“Technology alone cannot solve every case. We appeal to members of the public to continue providing timely information because community cooperation remains one of the strongest tools in crime prevention and investigations,” he added.
The five suspects remain in police custody and are expected to appear in court after the Resident State Attorney for Kassanda reviews the case file and sanctions the charges.
Police have assured residents that investigations are ongoing and that any other individuals found to have participated in the robbery and double murder will also face justice.
