Security alert in Western Uganda as coordinated attacks hit UPDF and police posts
What happened
On Saturday morning, Nov 1 2025, at least five people were killed and multiple suspects arrested after coordinated attacks targeted security installations in the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and the town of Fort Portal (Western Uganda).
According to the RDC of Bundibugyo, Rt. Maj. John Mugabirwe, two detachments of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) — Kakuka and Malindi — were attacked late on Friday, October 31, into Saturday morning. Five individuals dressed in civilian clothes and armed with pangas were said to have been neutralised at the Kakuka detachment.
In Kasese, four suspects armed with pangas were killed after attempting to target the Kasese Police Barracks and Rughedabara Police Post; several others have been detained.
At Canon Apollo Core Primary Teachers’ College in Fort Portal City, an exchange of gunfire erupted around 6:30 am when suspects attempted to enter the institution. A staff member reports that unidentified men chased a jogger, then soldiers fired back. Two bodies were reported at the school gate.
The assailants reportedly used pangas, bows, arrows and some crude firearms. Locals also claim that some suspects were lynched by mobs after failing to identify themselves. Roads have been blocked, and security forces are intensifying patrols in the region’s trading centres.
Why it matters
Western Uganda has historically been a region of security concern (notably the “Rwenzori attacks” of 2014); this new wave raises fears of recurrence of large-scale community insecurity.
For local development: attacks on security posts and schools disrupt community life, potentially undermine investor confidence, tourism (especially in the Rwenzori region) and public-sector service delivery.
For national policy/response: raises questions about border security (given proximity to the DRC), intelligence gathering, and community policing.
For the audience of The Urban Gazette: this is a timely alert for citizens, development practitioners, investors and regional stakeholders, signalling heightened risk that may affect business continuity, tourism and social stability.
What we know so far & next steps
Security forces responded quickly, killing several suspects and making dozens of arrests.
Investigations are ongoing to determine motive, identify if there is a larger organised network behind the attacks (including the possibility of cross-border actors).
Roadblocks and vehicle checks have been deployed along key highways (Fort Portal–Bundibugyo, etc). Citizens are being urged to cooperate with the security agencies and report suspicious movements.
Some ambiguity remains: none of the deceased were found with firearms (in some detachments) and links to known rebel groups, such as Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), have been officially dismissed by authorities.
