In the shadow of Ntungamo's Kahunga, a chilling tale unfolds, where the residents are terrorized by a gang wielding pangas with relentless ferocity. As night falls, the once bustling Kahunga Trading Centre transforms into a ghost town, its streets eerily quiet as shops close their doors and residents retreat into the safety of their homes. The air is thick with fear, as locals recount brutal attacks that have left deep scars and shattered lives.
The gang's relentless assault has left a trail of devastation, with multiple victims bearing the physical and emotional scars of their encounters. Sylvia Mulungi, a resident of Kahunga, describes a harrowing attack on her family, where her husband was brutally assaulted without warning. The victims, predominantly men, bear the brutal marks of the panga-wielding assailants, with deep cuts and blunt-force injuries.
Dennis Muhangi, one of the survivors, describes a terrifying encounter where he was brutally beaten with a metal rod, sustaining injuries to his shoulders, head, and face, with his eyes bearing the brunt of the attack. Another resident, Daniel Kabengyera, recognizes one of his attackers, Alinda, who, after slashing him with a panga, subjected him to abuse. Edward Turyahabwe, attempting to secure his home, was attacked and beaten with a panga on the arm, forehead, and head.
The gang's tactics go beyond physical violence, as they strip victims of their valuables, sometimes forcing them to undress. Hamidu, a victim, recounted a traumatic experience where, after being beaten, he was ordered to remove his trousers, fearing the gang's intentions extended beyond his belongings.
Local leaders attribute the surge in crime to unemployment and idle youth turning to criminal activities. Steven Barigye, the LC1 chairperson of Kahunga Trading Centre, notes an increase in police patrols since the attacks. However, residents express concern as the violence spreads to other parts of Ntungamo District, intensifying fear and anxiety among communities.
Miriam Kagaiga, the Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner, confirms arrests linked to the attacks, indicating that security agencies are intensifying investigations. She urges residents to cooperate by providing timely information. The authorities pledge to reinforce patrols as investigations continue, while residents call for a sustained security presence to restore calm in the area.
