Residents of Bugoba Zone in Mukono Municipality have called on security authorities to urgently strengthen patrols and improve safety in the area following the killing of a radiography specialist, Peter Mubiru.
Mubiru was attacked and killed at around 7pm near an abandoned church as he was heading home.
He was reportedly assaulted by unknown assailants who struck him with a concrete paver before fleeing the scene.
The radiology specialsits (often called a radiographer or medical imaging technologist) was rushed to Mengo Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
A radiology specialist is a trained health professional who operates imaging equipment to produce scans of the body, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and Ultrasound.
Their main job is to capture high-quality medical images that help doctors diagnose injuries or diseases.
The death of Mubiru has deepened fears among residents, who say the area has become increasingly unsafe, particularly at night, with attackers frequently targeting people returning from work.
Locals claim at least three similar killings have been reported in the area over the past year.
Witnesses allege that the suspects involved in Mubiru’s killing were riding a motorcycle and may have trailed him before launching the attack.
Community members have pointed to an abandoned church structure in the area, which they say has become a hideout for criminals.
They are now urging authorities to compel the property owner to demolish or secure the building.
A boda boda rider, John Wandera, said insecurity has worsened over time, and linked part of the rising crime to recent urban enforcement measures.
“Crime has escalated since the eviction of street vendors in Mukono. We need increased police patrols, especially at night, to protect riders and pedestrians,” he said.
According to Dr David Wamaani, Mubiru was robbed during the attack, with assailants reportedly making off with his backpack containing a laptop and a mobile phone.
Another resident, Dan Kato, attributed the rising insecurity to substance abuse, calling for police crackdowns on bars and gaming centres suspected of harbouring criminal activity.
Medical workers in Mukono have also expressed concern over the loss, noting that radiography specialists remain scarce in Uganda, making Mubiru’s death a significant blow to the health sector.
Bugoba Village Chairperson Billy Ssematimba confirmed the incident and cited poor lighting, abandoned land, and dark, enclosed roads as key contributors to insecurity in the area.
He said he has repeatedly urged residents to install security lighting around their homes, but compliance remains low. Ssematimba added that residents have now begun collecting signatures to petition authorities over the growing insecurity.
Mubiru, who was nearing completion of a master’s degree in radiology, had worked with several health facilities, including the government’s Goma Health Centre IV, where colleagues described him as a dedicated and promising professional.
