Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The notorious ringleader of the Kisenyi criminal gang, Dog Kanyanya, has died from gunshot wounds sustained during a police operation on Friday 2, February 2023.
The police received reports around 9 am that a gang of over 12 individuals, armed with knives and iron bars, had attacked pedestrians. Responding promptly, police from Owino Market, located opposite Kisenyi Centre, fired five warning shots to deter the gang.
In the ensuing confrontation, Kanyanya attempted to stab a police officer, leading to his colleague shooting him in the legs. Despite the police intervention, Kanyanya’s gang had already robbed more than 20 individuals of their wallets, money, watches, mobile phones, and other valuables.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, confirmed Kanyanya’s death resulting from the incident.
“He was shot trying to fight our officers. This incident happened at School View Zone located in Kisenyi II Parish in Kampala Central. The group was armed with knives and iron bars,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
Joe Mukasa, a frequent target of the gang associated with Kanyanya, revealed that the Kisenyi criminal gang operated without a specific schedule for their illicit activities. Mukasa, who has been a victim on multiple occasions, emphasized the unpredictable nature of the gang’s actions, indicating that they did not adhere to a set timeframe for carrying out criminal activities.
“You would pass in Kisenyi corridors thinking it is afternoon and you are safe but you end up falling into criminals. Even in the morning hours, you would be robbed. The problem is that the people in these areas fear the group and they don’t come to save you,” Mukasa said.
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Mukasa, a vendor specializing in electronics, has experienced repeated victimization by criminal gangs, particularly those moving in groups of 10 to 20, commonly referred to as Eggaali in the city.
Despite Kanyanya’s demise, Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing members of his gang.
Following the police intervention that resulted in Kanyanya being shot in the legs, the search is ongoing to bring other members of the gang to justice.
”These thugs rob whoever they come across. We are searching for other group members. We believe the operations will reduce. In the last week, there has been a surge of crime incidents,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
