It is 20 days since daring motorcyclists pounced on a foreign national in the city centre and robbed him. The act happened six months after a similar incident on Nile Avenue, Kampala, in January.
But as security agencies crack down on the thugs, New Vision followed up on a tip that led us to the hideout, which is the home of the bandits.
It is known as Sayooni, a ghetto located on Kabaga Road in Kiteezi, Wakiso district.
The pothole-filled Murram Road gradually transforms into gulleys as one approaches Sayooni ghetto.
This criminal haven has, over recent years, grown to become the dark heart of illicit activities, slowly taking over the once infamous crime syndicates like IGfeesi and B-13, which used to terrorise Kampala.
Sayooni is a labyrinth of decrepit structures and narrow winding roads. It stands as a testament to urban decay and societal neglect, breeding a new generation of criminals.
There are several other narrow winding pathways in Kiteezi trading centre leading to Sayooni, which locals use as short-cuts.
Streetlights are a rare sight and those that exist flicker intermittently, casting eerie shadows that only enhance the sense of insecurity in the area.
Sidewalks, where they exist, are cracked and uneven, often cluttered with debris and garbage.
The absence of proper drainage systems means that during the rainy season, the roads turn into muddy quagmires, further isolating the community from the rest of the city. Housing in Sayooni is a stark contrast to the affluent neighbourhoods on the city’s periphery, which borders on a wetland.
The homes here are cheaply constructed, often from salvaged materials such as corrugated iron sheets, plywood and tarpaulins.
These makeshift structures offer little protection against criminal elements and their haphazard construction makes them susceptible to collapse.
Rent goes as low as sh50,000 a month, attracting the destitute and the desperate. Overcrowding is rampant, with multiple families often sharing a single room.
Basic amenities like running water, electricity and sanitation are scarce, and a stench of raw sewage permeates the air, creating a breeding ground for disease.
Children as young as five years in this part of the area rarely go to school, as many are seen collecting water bottles that they sell to survive.
It is these young lads who statistically grow into fearless criminals and start as bodaboda riders, according to local authorities and residents.
Role Of Bars
Bars in Sayooni are more than just places of recreation; they are the social hubs where the community’s underbelly congregates.
These establishments, often not more than shacks with makeshift countres, offer cheap alcohol that flows freely, fuelling the lawlessness that pervades the ghetto.
expert Emmanuel Okwi said the impact on the youth of Sayooni is particularly tragic.
With limited access to education and a few positive role models, many young people see a future in crime as their only viable path.
“Schools, if they exist, are underfunded and poorly staffed and attendance is sporadic at best. The allure of gang life, with its promises of power, respect and material wealth, is a powerful draw for impressionable minds,” Okwi said.
He added that children grow up witnessing violence and criminal activity as the norm and the lack of alternative opportunities makes it difficult for them to envision a different future.
Initiation into gangs often begins in early adolescence and by their late teens, many are already deeply entrenched in the criminal world, Okwi added.
LOCALS SPEAK OUT
James Ssemivule, a new tenant in the area, said: “It’s tough here. Everyone has got a story and everyone is trying to make it. It’s dangerous but it’s also where you can find people who understand the hustle. I’ve heard the gangs here even have structured leadership.” Rebecca Namusisi aka “Becky”, a social worker, said: “I moved to Sayooni because this is where the help is most needed. The stories you hear about the crime are true, but there is another side to it.
There are families here just trying to get by, children who need guidance and people who have been let down by their leaders.
The resilience of the people is incredible and with some dedicated support, there’s potential for real change.”
Abubaker Ocaya alias Musudan, a young entrepreneur and resident of the area, said: “The community spirit of togetherness is strong despite the criminality. People want services and that is why I moved here to start a shop. They are willing to support local businesses.”
Grace Nakachwa, a single mother, said: “I have two children and nowhere else to go. Sayooni is not ideal, but the rent is something I can manage. I know it’s dangerous, but what choice do I have? The schools might be terrible, but at least there is some sort of community here.” Pastor Godfrey Mutungi, a community church leader in Kiteezi, said: “Sayooni is a place that has been left in the shadows, but it’s where our faith is truly tested and proven. We see a lot of suffering, but also a lot of strength. My mission here is to provide spiritual guidance and practical support. We run food drives, offer counselling and try to instil hope. The crime and poverty are symptoms of deeper issues.”
Jamil Ahmed, a local mosque imam, said: “In Sayooni, we see humanity at its most vulnerable. The challenges are immense, but so is the potential for transformation. Our mosque works tirelessly to support, not just through religious teachings, but also through active community service.”
PAST CASES, STATISTICS
One of the most memorable incidents happened on July 15, at Esso Corner on Jinja Road. Four days after the robbery, a similar gang struck Komamboga, escalating concerns over the resurgence of organised motorcycle-riding thugs in Kampala.
In Komamboga, the gang raided a bar and robbed its patrons before fleeing. “We are aware and have teams on the ground following clues.
The perpetrators will be brought to book,” Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said after the Komamboga incident.
In all these cases, Police said the suspects so far arrested are exconvicts recently released from prison between March and July this year.
The Police annual crime report indicates that a total of 7,772 cases of robbery were reported to the Police countrywide in 2023 compared to 6,854 cases reported in 2022, giving a 13.3% increase in this crime.
Cases of robbery where lethal weapons were not used were 4,745, while cases of aggravated robbery where lethal weapons like firearms, knives, hammers and machetes were used totalled 3,027.
AUTHORITIES SPEAK OUT
John Ssemaganda, the Sayooni village defense secretary, said they have been asked by Kasangati Police to give identities to residents including new tenants who have relocated to the village.
“Those that Police wanted over some cases were taken last week. Some of the houses they stayed in are still locked. Their landlords are also aware,” he said.
At least three of the suspects linked to the attack on an Indian businessman working with Jean Mata Tours and Travel, who was robbed by criminals riding on bodabodas at Esso Corner in Kampala, were traced to Sayooni ghetto.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said: “All groups involved in these crimes utilise motorcycles and are known to operate in the Kiteezi-Sayooni area near the garbage dumping site,” he said.
Following the attack on July 15, Police arrested Sulaiman Mubarak, who confessed to having been involved in the robbery.
“Mubarak provided details about the planning of the crime, identifying !bra Kisenyi as the ringleader. Kisenyi was seen in the video footage wearing a white shirt and assaulting the victim, accompanied by individuals he identified only as Toofa, Ian and Simple,” Kituuma said.
Kituuma said Mubarak further disclosed that after the Esso Corner robbery, the same group proceeded to Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, where they robbed a mobile money vendor of her bag containing an unspecified amount of cash.
“The local community attempted to intervene, leading to a pursuit that extended to Kazo-Angola. During this chase, one of the suspects suffered an accident and was subsequently killed by an enraged mob,” he said.
Adapted from The New Vision
