Uganda Police have defended the use of warning shots during an operation at Kiseka Market in Kampala, saying officers came under resistance from a group of people while attempting to arrest suspected offenders.
Uganda Police Force spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the incident occurred at about 6:00pm onJuly 20, 2026, in Nakivubo Cell, Nakasero III Ward in Kampala’s Central Business District, where a joint team of security officers had gone to Original Kiseka Spare Centre to arrest suspects.
He said a group of individuals turned violent and attempted to obstruct the operation, prompting officers to fire warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore order.
The explanation follows the circulation of a video on social media showing armed security officers discharging firearms during the operation, prompting public concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police said the situation was quickly brought under control and that two suspects were arrested during the operation.
The force did not identify the suspects or disclose the offences for which they were arrested, but maintained that the use of warning shots was intended to manage the crowd and facilitate the lawful execution of the arrests.
