Sheilah Gashumba raises alarm over rising night crimes in Uganda – Daily Express

By Ahimbisibwe Monica

Kampala, Uganda: Socialite and TV personality Sheilah Gashumba has raised concerns over what she described as an alarming increase in night-time crime across Uganda, calling for urgent investigations and action from relevant authorities to restore public safety.

In a statement posted on her official X account, Gashumba said that Ugandans should not have to fear for their lives simply for walking to a nearby shop or driving home after work. She emphasized the growing insecurity faced by both ordinary citizens and those working in Uganda’s night economy.

“The increasing high crime rate at night in Uganda needs to be investigated and something must be done about it,” Gashumba wrote. “Thieves/gangs are beating innocent people to death because someone is walking to a shop or driving back home. Let’s make Uganda a safe place for people to live.”

The outspoken media influencer, who has consistently used her platform to spotlight social issues, urged government agencies to take swift action to restore order and reassure the public.

Gashumba, who is also involved in the nightlife business and events, said the fear is real and growing among youth and working-class Ugandans who move at night.

Her call comes amid a spike in criminal incidents during night hours, with police frequently confirming attacks, robberies, and murders across various parts of the country.

In recent weeks, reports of gang-related beatings, violent muggings, and burglaries have dominated both social and mainstream media. Residents in Kampala suburbs such as Kisaasi, Nansana, and Kyengera have particularly raised concern over thugs targeting people on foot or boda bodas late at night.

The Uganda Police Force has occasionally attributed the rise in night crimes to organized gang groups, idle youth, and drug abuse in urban centres. Several operations have been carried out to arrest suspected gang members, but critics argue more needs to be done to prevent the crimes before they occur.

Security experts and civil society actors have since backed Gashumba’s remarks, calling for enhanced street surveillance, deployment of community policing teams, and a clear action plan to tackle night-time insecurity.

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