By Nelly Otto
Jinja
The Kiira Regional Police Command has once again risen to the occasion in the fight against crime, recovering an illegal rusty gun with 15 rounds of ammunition in Nawampanda parish, Butagaya sub-county, Jinja district.
The firearm was discovered hidden in a garden on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
According to eyewitnesses, Monica Namugaya, a resident of Busowoko central, stumbled upon a sack containing the rusty gun while tending to her garden.
According to the Regional Police publicist, SP James Mubi, she promptly informed Shaban Mazereba, the chairperson of veterans in Nawampanda parish, who alerted the area Butagaya Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO).
SP Mubi, in a media statement says a joint security team, including Major Ishaka, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 129th battalion in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe district, responded swiftly to the scene.
He says SSP Charles Nsaba, RPC Kiira region, led the operation and commended the community’s goodwill in facilitating the recovery.
“…the recovered gun is believed to have been terrorizing the Busoga sub-region and other parts of the country before being abandoned…,” said SP James Mubi who urged members of the public to continue cooperating with police to prevent and solve crimes, ensuring a safer and more just society.
According to security experts, like a snake, young or old a gun is a gun, whether rusty or new, it poses a significant threat to community safety.
“…we appreciate the vigilant efforts of Monica Namugaya and the people of Butagaya sub-county in reporting this incident, demonstrating that security is indeed a shared responsibility…”, said Mubi.
The rusty state of the recovered firearm suggests it may have been abandoned or hidden for an extended period, possibly due to the owner’s inability to retrieve it or a shift in their circumstances.
Possible scenarios include the illegal owner losing track of the gun’s location, passing away, or being incarcerated for another crime.
Environmental factors in Jinja District, such as proximity to Lake Victoria and the Nile River, may have accelerated the rusting process due to increased humidity.
Given the strategic location of Jinja District, with its historical significance and proximity to major water bodies, it’s plausible that the firearm was hidden and left to deteriorate over time.
The Kiira Police Command is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or illegal weapons, emphasizing that community cooperation is crucial in maintaining safety and security.
By reporting suspicious activities and working together, the police say residents can help create a safer and more secure environment.
SSP Charles Nsaba, the RPC Kiira region, thanked the community for their goodwill in facilitating the recovery of the gun and urged them to continue cooperating with the police.
What You Need To Know:
Countries, including Uganda strictly regulate firearms to prevent illegal guns from falling into the wrong hands for several key reasons like public safety in reducing gun violence.
By controlling firearms, the government of Uganda can better protect vulnerable groups such as women, children and marginalized communities from gun violence and intimidation.
Regulating firearms helps law enforcement maintain control and order, ensuring a safer environment for citizens.
Strict regulations help prevent the illegal trafficking of firearms, which can fuel conflicts, support terrorism, or fall into the hands of organized crime groups.
In Uganda, the regulation of firearms is governed by laws and policies aimed at ensuring public safety, maintaining law and order, and preventing the misuse of firearms.
The government works to balance the rights of citizens with the need to protect society from the risks associated with firearms.
In Uganda, possessing an illegal gun or firearm can lead to severe penalties. According to the 2006 Firearms (Amendment) Act (the primary law that regulates firearms), anyone found with an illegal firearm can face imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to 60 currency points or both.
Additionally specific circumstances like robbery with a gun, murder with a firearm, importing or exporting (smuggling) without permit can attract different penalties
