Major General Christopher Damulira, the Uganda Police’s Director of Crime Intelligence, is facing growing criticism after viral footage emerged showing gangs in ruling NRM party shirts attacking people on Kampala streets. The attacks occurred as President Museveni’s nomination ceremony approached, prompting public outrage and renewed scrutiny of Damulira’s controversial youth rehabilitation program.
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Since 2020, Damulira has spearheaded an initiative aimed at reforming ghetto youth by organizing them into community groups and showcasing them to the president as success stories. These efforts reportedly secured nearly Shs 3 billion in support from the president, channeled through Saccos, and were meant to equip young people with vocational skills like welding and shoemaking. Damulira has previously accused the opposition of exploiting these youths for political rallies without offering real opportunities.
More than 50 such groups have been created in Kampala’s suburbs, including Katwe, Kamwokya, Kibuli, and Wakiso’s Kasokoso. However, the initiative has come under fire from both political figures and some within the security sector, who argue it has created lawless gangs operating under perceived state protection—drawing comparisons to the now-defunct Boda Boda 2010 gang once linked to former IGP Gen Kale Kayihura.
Critics allege the project is being used as a vehicle for personal enrichment, with reports of large cash disbursements to the slums. One security official described witnessing sacks of money being delivered on Damulira’s orders, suggesting misuse of presidential goodwill.
The recent street violence, allegedly perpetrated by these groups, has reignited concerns. Among the victims was retired AIGP Grace Akullo, whose phone was stolen during an assault near an ATM, while her son sustained injuries and was hospitalized.
While police confirmed some arrests and vowed to pursue remaining suspects, NRM spokesperson Emmanuel Dombo disassociated the party from the gangs, urging a full investigation into whoever mobilized them.
Despite defending his program on radio, Damulira said he hadn’t received reports linking his youth groups to the violence and declined to confirm if his Directorate is investigating. Some of the groups involved, including one called “Al-Qaeda” from Kibuli, have prior records of violence—one was implicated in a student’s death last year, which triggered a military raid.
Security sources further allege that these gangs were previously used to stir chaos during the Kawempe North by-election, raising broader concerns over the weaponization of youth groups for political gain and the erosion of public safety.
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