Ugandan police have arrested five suspects in connection with the killing of a couple during a robbery earlier this month in the central district of Kassanda, authorities said on Friday (July 24) 2026.
The attack took place on July 2, 2026 in Lukira village, Myanzi Sub-county, where assailants raided the home of a local resident identified by police as Lukwago. During the robbery, the attackers allegedly killed two of his workers, Joseph Ssali, 48, and his wife, Regina Mariza, before fleeing with an unspecified amount of cash and seven bags of coffee.
According to police, Ssali’s body was discovered the following day after local residents alerted authorities.
His wife’s body was also found six days later in a neighbouring village, partially buried.
The killings shocked communities across Kassanda District and Uganda’s Wamala policing region, prompting an extensive investigation involving forensic analysis and intelligence gathering, police said.
Investigators said the first breakthrough came with the arrest of a suspect in the city of Masaka, leading to the detention of four additional suspects in Kassanda District. Police said they had also recovered several pieces of evidence, including motorcycles believed to have been used during the crime.
“The investigation combined professional detective work with forensic capabilities, including CCTV analysis, tracking technology and canine support, enabling investigators to identify and apprehend the suspects,” Lameck Kigozi, spokesperson for Uganda Police’s Wamala Region, said in a statement.
Kigozi urged members of the public to continue cooperating with investigators, saying community support remained essential in helping police solve serious crimes.
The five suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear in court after prosecutors approve the charges.
Coffee is one of Uganda’s leading export commodities, and thefts targeting coffee stores and traders have become an increasing security concern in some producing areas, although police say investments in forensic and investigative capacity are improving their ability to tackle violent crime.
