Couldn’t Run Forever: Prime Suspect in Murder of Ndiga Clan Leader Finally Arrested After Police Doubled Reward for Capture of Fugitive Luggya Tabula

KAMPALA, Uganda: The long and elusive search for Luggya Bbosa Tabula, 38, has finally come to an end. Tabula, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of Engineer Daniel Bbosa, a prominent businessman and former leader of the Ndiga Clan, was apprehended today August 19th, 2024, by the police’s crime intelligence squad, in a daring operation in Kimelika-Namulonge, Busikuma. The arrest has sent shockwaves throughout Uganda, bringing a sense of closure to a case that has gripped the nation for months.

The Manhunt

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) had been on the hunt for Tabula since February 25th, 2024, when Eng. Daniel Bbosa was gunned down in cold blood outside his home in Lungujja, Lubaga Division. The attack, carried out by three assailants armed with an AK-47 rifle, left the 72-year-old clan leader and proprietor of TRANSA Electrical Company Limited dead at the scene. His wife and housemaid, who were with him in the vehicle, miraculously survived the attack without major injuries.

The police, determined to bring the culprits to justice, initially offered a reward of UGX10m for any information leading to Tabula’s capture. However, as the weeks turned into months with no credible leads, the CID doubled the reward to UGX20 million on March 18th, 2024, in a bid to intensify the search. Fred Enanga, the then police spokesperson, made an impassioned plea to the public; “We also want to urge the suspect to turn in and defend himself. The longer he stays in hiding, the more guilty and desperate he becomes.”

Enanga’s words were both a warning and a prediction. He cautioned that Tabula’s continued evasion could lead him into committing other crimes, and vowed that the police would not rest until they had him in custody. “We will never stop pursuing him. We will find him, arrest him, and bring him to justice,” Enanga declared.

Murdered: Eng. Daniel Bbosa (Courtesy Photo)

The Brutal Murder

The murder of Eng. Bbosa shocked the nation and left the Ndiga Clan and the broader community in mourning. On the fateful evening of February 25th, 2024, Eng. Bbosa was returning home from a traditional function in Mukono. As he approached the junction to his home in Kikandwa zone, Lungujja Parish, his vehicle was ambushed by the assailants. Riding a motorcycle with a disguised registration plate, the attackers executed a cold and calculated attack, firing three shots at close range, killing Bbosa instantly.

A courageous boda-boda rider, witnessing the brutal attack, chased after the fleeing assailants, causing them to crash near Bulange in Mengo. An enraged mob quickly formed, apprehending two of the suspects. One of the assailants, Sserunkuuma Enock, was beaten to death on the spot, while the second, Lujja Noah, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital. The third suspect managed to escape, leading to a widespread manhunt that ultimately focused on Lujja Bbosa Tabula.

The Arrest

After months of evading capture, the net finally closed in on Tabula. On August 19th 2024, the police crime intelligence squad located him in Kimelika-Namulonge, Busukuma, where he had been hiding. The operation was swift and decisive, bringing an end to Tabula’s months-long flight from justice.

In a statement released on the police news website, the authorities confirmed the arrest; “We confirm the arrest of Lujja Bbosa Tabula, the main suspect in the murder of former Ndiga clan leader Engineer Daniel Bbosa. He was apprehended in Kimelika-Namulonge, Busikuma, by our crime intelligence squad.”

Tabula’s arrest is not only significant for the murder case of Eng. Bbosa but also for other criminal activities. The police revealed that he is also wanted in connection with the discovery of human skulls at his residence in Mpigi, further compounding his criminal profile.

Justice Awaits

With Tabula now in custody, the focus shifts to the judiciary, where the task of proving the charges against him and his co-conspirators lies. In March 2024, the Mwanga II Chief Magistrate’s court had already remanded five suspects in connection with Eng. Bbosa’s murder. These included Lujja Noah, who was apprehended shortly after the murder, and four others: Harriet Nakiguli, Joseph Nakabale, Ezra Mayanja, and Milly Naluwenda.

The suspects were charged with murder under sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act, and their trial is expected to proceed with the added weight of Tabula’s arrest. As the case unfolds, the nation watches closely, hoping that justice will be served for Eng. Daniel Bbosa and his grieving family.

The arrest of Lujja Bbosa Tabula marks a significant victory for law enforcement in Uganda, but it also serves as a reminder of the dark undercurrents of crime that continue to threaten the peace and security of the nation. The police’s relentless pursuit of Tabula stresses their commitment to justice, and as the case moves to the courts, the public remains vigilant, awaiting the final verdict.

Author Profile

Stanley Ndawula: Stanley Ndawula is a two and a half decades’ seasoned investigative journalist with a knack for serious crimes investigations and reporting. He’s the Founding Editorial Director and CEO at The Investigator Publications (U) Limited