Panic and fear have engulfed residents of Kalinabili Zone in Ntinda following the mysterious abduction of a local mechanic, identified as Ssemuddu Abdu, by a group of eight armed men on Thursday night.
The incident occurred at Spanner Star Motors Garage, where Ssemuddu worked, and has left his colleagues and community members deeply distressed as no trace of him has been found since.
When this reporter visited the garage on Friday morning, shaken workmates described the terrifying scene as the armed men stormed the premises in a white Toyota Noah van and seized Ssemuddu.
“They came at night, armed and aggressive. They didn’t explain anything. They just grabbed Ssemuddu, beat him, and forced him into their vehicle before speeding off,” one of the mechanics recounted, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Residents say the abduction has created an atmosphere of fear in the community, with many now worried for their own safety. Efforts to locate Ssemuddu through police stations in Kampala and nearby areas have so far yielded no results.
“We’ve gone to different police stations looking for him, but no one seems to know where he is. We are scared because we don’t know who these people are or why they took him,” a resident said.
When contacted, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that the incident had been reported and investigations are underway to establish the identities of the abductors and their motive.
“We are aware of the incident in Ntinda involving a missing person allegedly taken by armed men. Investigations are ongoing, and we urge the public to remain calm as we follow up on all leads,” the spokesperson said.
Police have advised residents to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity in the area.
Meanwhile, local leaders have called for urgent action from security agencies, warning that such incidents threaten public confidence and undermine community safety.
As of press time, the whereabouts of Ssemuddu Abdu remained unknown, and the Kalinabili community continues to appeal for government intervention to secure his release.